Podcasts about bookbub

What does it really take to build a multi-six-figure author business with no advertising? Is running your own warehouse really necessary for direct sales success — or is there a simpler path using print-on-demand that works just as well? In this conversation, Sacha Black and I compare our very different approaches to selling direct, from print on demand to pallets of books, and explore why the right model depends entirely on who you are and what your goals are for your author business. In the intro, Memoir Examples and interviews [Reedsy, The Creative Penn memoir tips]; Written Word Media annual indie author survey results; Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition; Business for Authors webinars; Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant; Camino Portuguese Coastal on My Camino Podcast; Creating while Caring Community with Donn King; The Buried and the Drowned by J.F. Penn Today's show is sponsored by Bookfunnel, the essential tool for your author business. Whether it's delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out ebooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. Check it out at bookfunnel.com/thecreativepenn This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Sacha Black is the author of YA and non-fiction for authors and previously hosted The Rebel Author Podcast. As Ruby Roe, she is a multi-six-figure author of sapphic romantasy. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights, and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Two models for selling direct: print on demand vs running your own warehouse. Plus, check out Sacha's solo Rebel Author episode about the details of the warehouse. Cashflow management Kickstarter lessons: pre-launch followers, fulfillment time, and realistic timelines How Sacha built a multi-six-figure business through TikTok with zero ad spend Matching your business model to your personality and skill set Building resilience: staff salaries, SOPs, and planning for when things change You can find Ruby at RubyRoe.co.uk and on TikTok @rubyroeauthor and on Instagram @sachablackauthor Transcript of the interview Joanna: Sacha Black is the author of YA and nonfiction for authors, and previously hosted the Rebel Author podcast. As Ruby Roe, she is a multi-six-figure author of sapphic romance. So welcome back to the show, Sacha. Sacha: Hello. Thank you for having me. It's always a pleasure to be here. Joanna: I'm excited to talk to you today. Now, just for context, for everybody listening, Sacha has a solo episode on her Rebel Author podcast, last week as we record this, which goes into specific lessons around the warehouse in more detail, including financials. So we are going to come at this from a slightly different angle in our discussion today, which is really about two different ways of doing selling direct. I want us to start though, Sacha, in case people don't know your background, in case they've missed out. Can you just give us a quick recap of your indie author journey, because you haven't just come out of nowhere and jumped into this business and done incredibly well? Sacha's Indie Author Journey Sacha: No, I really haven't. Okay. So 2013, I started writing. So 12 years ago I started writing with the intention to publish, because I was writing before, but not with the intention. 2017 I first self-published and then two years after that, in 2019, I quit the day job. But let me be clear, it wasn't because I was rolling in self-published royalties or commissions or whatever you want to call them. I was barely scraping by. And so those are what I like to call my hustle years because I mean, I still hustle, but it was a different kind. It was grind and hustle. So I did a lot of freelance work. I did a lot of VA work for other authors. I did speaking, I was podcasting, teaching courses, and so on and so forth. 2022, in the summer, I made a realisation that I'd created another job for myself rather than a business that I wanted to grow and thrive in and was loving life and all of that stuff. And so I took a huge risk and I slowed down everything, and I do mean everything. I slowed down the speaking, I slowed down the courses, I slowed down the nonfiction, and — I poured everything into writing what became the first Ruby Roe book. I published that in February 2023. In August/September 2023, I stopped all freelance work. And to be clear, at that point, I also wasn't entirely sure if I was going to be able to pay my bills with Ruby, but I could see that she had the potential there and I was making enough to scrape by. And there's nothing if not a little bit of pressure to make you work hard. So that is when I stopped the freelance. And then in November 2023, so two months later, I started TikTok in earnest. And then a month after that, December the eighth, I went viral. And then what's relevant to this is that two days after that, on December the 10th, I had whipped up my minimum viable Shopify, and that went live. Then roll on, I did more of the same, published more Ruby Roe books. I made a big change to my Shopify. So at that point it was still print on demand Shopify, and then February 2025, I took control and took the reins and rented a warehouse and started fulfilling distribution myself. The Ten-Year Overnight Success Joanna: So great. So really good for people to realise that 2013, you started writing with the intention, like, seriously, I want this to be what I do. And it was 2019 when you quit the day job, but really it was 2023 when you actually started making decent money, right? Sacha: Almost like we all need 10 years. Joanna: Yeah. I mean, it definitely takes time. So I wanted just to set that scene there. And also that you did at least a year of print on demand Shopify before getting your own warehouse. Sacha: Yeah, maybe 14 months. Joanna: Yeah, 14 months. Okay. So we are going to revisit some of these, but I also just want as context, what was your day job so people know? Sacha: So I was a project manager in a local government, quite corporate, quite conservative place. And I played the villain. It was great. I would helicopter into departments and fix them up and look at processes that were failing and restructure things and bring in new software and bits and bobs like that. The Importance of Business Skills Joanna: Yeah. So I think that's important too, because your job was fixing things and looking at processes, and I feel like that is a lot of what you've done and we'll revisit that. Sacha: How did I not realise that?! Joanna: I thought you did know that. No. Well, oh my goodness. And let's just put my business background in context. I'm sure most people have heard it before, but I was an IT consultant for about 13 years, but much of my job was going into businesses and doing process mapping and then doing software to fix that. And also I worked, I'm not an accountant, but I worked in financial accounting departments. So I think this is really important context for people to realise that learning the craft is one thing, but learning business is a completely different game, right? Sacha: Oh, it is. I have learnt — it's wild because I always feel like there's no way you can learn more than in your first year of publishing because everything is brand new. But I genuinely feel like this past 18 months I have learnt as much, if not more, because of the business, because of money, because of all of the other legal regulation type changes in the last 18 months. It's just been exhausting in terms of learning. It's great, but also it is a lot to learn. There is just so much to business. Joanna's Attempts to Talk Sacha Out of the Warehouse Joanna: So that's one thing. Now, I also want to say for context, when you decided to start a warehouse, how much effort did I put into trying to persuade you not to do this? Sacha: Oh my goodness, me. I mean a lot. There were probably two dinners, several coffees, a Zoom. It was like, don't do it. Don't do it. You got me halfway there. So for everybody listening, I went big and I was like, oh, I'm going to buy shipping containers and convert them and put them on a plot of land and all of this stuff. And Joanna very sensibly turned around and was like, hmm, why don't you rent somewhere that you can bail out of if it doesn't work? And I was like, oh yeah, that does sound like a good idea. Joanna: Try it, try it before you really commit. Okay. So let's just again take a step back because the whole point of doing this discussion for me is because you are doing really well and it is amazing what you are doing and what some other people are doing with warehouses. But I also sell direct and in the same way as you used to, which is I use Bookfunnel for ebooks and audiobooks and I use BookVault for print on demand books, and people can also use Lulu. That's another option for people. So you don't have to do direct sales in the way that you've done it. And part of the reason to do this episode was to show people that there are gradations of selling direct. Why Sell Direct? Joanna: But I wanted to go back to the basics around this. Why might people consider selling direct, even in a really simple way, for example, just ebooks from their website, or what might be reasons to sell direct rather than just sending everything to Amazon or other stores? Sacha: I think, well, first of all, it depends on what you want as a business model. For me, I have a similar background to you in that I was very vulnerable when I was in corporate because of redundancies, and so that bred a bit of control freakness inside me. And having control of my customers was really important to me. We don't get any data from Amazon or Kobo really, or anywhere, even though all of these distributors are incredible for us in our careers. We don't actually have direct access to readers, and you do with Shopify. You know everything about your reader, and that is priceless. Because once you have that data and you have delivered a product, a book, merchandise, something that that reader values and appreciates, you can then sell to them again and again and again. I have some readers who have been on my website who have spent almost four figures now. I mean, that is just — one person's done that and I have thousands of people who are coming to the website on a regular basis. So definitely that control and access to readers is a huge reason for doing it. Customising the Reader Relationship Sacha: And also I think that you can, depending on how you do this model, there are ways to do some of the things I'm going to talk about digitally as well. But for me, I really like the physical aspect of it. We are able to customise the relationship with our customers. We can give them more because we are in control of delivery. And so by that I mean we could give art prints, which lots of my readers really value. We can do — you could send those digitally if you wanted to, but we can add in extra freebies like our romance pop sockets, that makes them feel like they are part of my reader group. They're part of a community. It creates this belonging. So I think there is just so much more that you can do when you are in control of that relationship and in control of the access to it. Joanna: Yeah. And on that, I mean, one of the reasons we can do really cool print books — and again, we're going to come back to print on demand, but I use print on demand. You don't have to buy pallets of books as Sacha does. You can just do print on demand. Obviously the financials are different, but I can still do foiling and custom end papers and ribbons and all this with print on demand through BookVault custom printing and bespoke printing. The Speed of Money Joanna: But also, I think the other thing with the money — I don't know if you even remember this, because it's very different when you are selling direct — you can set up your system so you get paid like every single day, right? Or every week? Sacha: Yes. Joanna: So the money is faster because with Amazon, with any of these other systems, it can take 30, 60, 90 days for the money to get to you. So faster money, you are in more control of the money. And you can also do a lot more things like bundling and like you mentioned, much higher value that you could offer, but you can also make higher income. Average order value per customer because you have so many things, right? So that speed of money is very different. Sacha: It is, but it's also very dangerous. I know we might talk about cashflow more later, but— Joanna: Let's talk about it now. Managing Cashflow With Multiple Bank Accounts Sacha: Okay, cool. So one of the things that I think is the most valuable thing that I've ever done is, someone who is really clever told me that you're allowed more than one business account. Joanna: Just to be clear, bank accounts? Sacha: Yes, sorry. Yeah. Bank accounts. And one of my banks in particular enables you to have mini banks inside it, mini pots they call it. And what I do with pre-orders is I treat it a bit like Amazon. So that money will come in — you know, I do get paid daily pretty much — but I then siphon it off every week into a pot. So let's just say I've got one book on pre-order. Every week the team tells me how much we've got in pre-orders for that one product and all the shipping money, and I put it into an account and I leave it there. And I do not touch it unless it is to pay for the print run of that book or to pay for the shipping. Because one of the benefits of coming direct to me is that I promise to ship all pre-orders early, so we have to pay the shipping costs before necessarily Amazon might pay for its shipping costs because they only release on the actual release day. But that has enabled me to have a little savings scheme, but also guarantee that I can pay for the print run in advance because I haven't accidentally spent that money on something else or invested it. I've kept it aside and it also helps you track numbers as well, so you know how well that pre-order is doing financially. Understanding Cashflow as an Author Joanna: Yeah. And this cashflow, if people don't really know it, is the difference between when money comes in and when it goes out. So another example, common to many authors, is paying for advertising. So for example, if you run some ads one month, you're going to have to pay, let's say Facebook or BookBub or whoever, that month. You might not get the money from the sale of those books if it's from a store until two months later. In that case, the cash flows the other way. The money is sitting with the store, sitting on Amazon until they pay you later. This idea of cashflow is so important for authors to think about. Another, I guess even more basic example is you are writing your first book and you pay for an editor. Money goes out of your bank account and then hopefully you're going to sell some books, but that might take, let's say six months, and then some money will come back into your bank account. I think this understanding cashflow is so important at a small level because as it gets bigger and bigger — and you are doing these very big print runs now, aren't you? Talk a bit about that. The Risks of Print Runs Sacha: Yeah. So one of the things I was going to say, one of the benefits of your sell direct model is that you don't have to deal with mistakes like this one. So in my recent book, Architecti, that we launched at the end of September, we did a print run of a thousand books, maybe about 3,000 pounds, something like that, 2,000 pounds. And basically we ended up selling all thousand and more. So the pre-orders breached a thousand and we didn't have enough books. But what made that worse is that 20% of the books that arrived were damaged because there had been massive rain. So we then had to do a second print run, which is bad for two reasons. The first reason is that one, that space, two, the time it's going to take to get to you — it's not instant, it's not printed on demand. But also three, I then had to spend the same amount of money again. And actually if we had ordered 2,000 originally, we would've saved a bit more money on it per book. So you don't — if you are doing selling direct with a print on demand model, the number of pre-orders you get is irrelevant because they'll just keep printing, and you just get charged per copy. So there are benefits and disadvantages to doing it each way. Obviously, I'm getting a cheaper price per copy printed, but not if I mess up the order numbers. Is Running a Warehouse Just Another Job? Joanna: So I'm going to come back on something you said earlier, which was in 2022 you said, “I realised I made a job for myself.” Sacha: Yeah. Joanna: And I mean, I've been to your store. You obviously have people to help you. But one of my reservations about this kind of model is that even if you have people to help you, taking on physical book — even though you are not printing them yourself, you're still shipping them all and you're signing them all. And to me it feels like a job. So maybe talk about why you have continued — you have pretty much decided to continue with your warehouse. So why is this not a job? What makes this fun for you? The Joy of Physical Product Creation Sacha: I wish that listeners could see my face because I'm literally glittering. I love it. I literally love it. I love us being able to create cool and wacky things. We can make a decision and we can create that physical product really quickly. We can do all of these quirky things. We can experiment. We can do book boxes. So first of all, it's the creativity in the physical product creation. I had no idea how much I love physical product creation, but there is something extremely satisfying about us coming up with an idea that's so integrated in the book. So for example, one of my characters uses, has a coin, a yes/no coin. She's an assassin and she flips it to decide whether or not she's going to assassinate somebody. We've actually designed and had that coin made, and it's my favourite item in the warehouse. It's such a small little thing, but I love it. And so there is a lot of joy that I derive from us being able to create these items. Sending Book Mail and Building Community Sacha: I think the second thing is I really love book mail. There is no better gift somebody can give me than a book. And so I do get a lot of satisfaction from knowing we're sending out lots and lots of book presents to people and we get to add more to it. So some of the promises that we make are: I sign every book and we give gifts. We have character art and, like I've mentioned before, pop sockets and all these kinds of things. And I get tagged daily in unboxings and stories and things like this where people are like, oh my gosh, I didn't realise I was going to get this, this, and this. And I just — it's like crack to me. I get high off of it. So I can't — this is not for everybody. This is a logistical nightmare. There are so many problems inherent in this business model. I love it. Discovering a Love of Team Building Sacha: And I think the other thing, which is very much not for a lot of authors — I did not realise that I actually really like having a team. And that has been a recent realisation. I really was told that I'm not a team player when I was in corporate, that I work alone, all of this nonsense. And I believed that and taken it on. But finding the right team, the right people who love the jobs that they do inside your business and they're all as passionate as you, is just life changing. And so that also helps me continue because I have a really great team. Joanna: I do have to ask you, what is a pop socket? Sacha: It's a little round disc that has a mechanism that you can pull out and then you — and it has a sticky command strip back and you can pop it on the back of your phone or on the back of a Kindle and it helps you to hold it. I don't know how else to describe it. It just helps you to hold the device easier. Joanna: Okay. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was confused. I'm like, why are you doing electrical socket products? Know What Kind of Person You Are Joanna: But I think this actually does demonstrate another point, and I hope people listening — I hope you can sort of — why we are doing this partly is to help you figure out what kind of person you are as well. Because I can't think of anything worse than having lots of little boxes! And I've been in Sacha's thing and there's all these little stickers and there's lots of boxes of little things that they put in people's packages, which make people happy. And I'm like, oh, I just don't like packages of things. And I mean, you geek out on packaging, don't you as well? Sacha: Oh my goodness. Yeah. One of the first things I did when we got the warehouse was I actually went to a packaging expo in Birmingham. It was like this giant conference place and I just nerded out there. It was so fun. And one of the things that I'm booked to do is an advent calendar. And that was what drove me there in the first place. I was looking for a manufacturer that could create an advent calendar for us. I have two. I'm not — I have two advent calendars this year because I love them so much. But yeah, the other thing that I was going to say to you is I often think that as adults, we can find what we're supposed to do rooted in our childhood. And I was talking the other day and someone said to me, what toy do you remember from your youth? And I was like, oh yeah. The only one that I can remember is that I had a sticker maker. I like — that makes sense. You do like stickers. And I do. Yeah. Digital Minimalism vs Physical Products Joanna: Yeah, I do. And I think this is so important because I love books. I buy a lot of books. I love books, but I also get rid of a lot of books. I know people hate this, but I will just get rid of bags and bags of books. So I value books more for what's inside them than the physical product as such. I mean, I have some big expensive, beautiful books, but mostly I want what's in them. So it's really interesting to me. And I think there's a big difference between us is just how much you like all that stuff. So if you are listening, if you are like a digital minimalist and you don't want to have stuff around your house, you definitely don't want a warehouse. You don't want all the shipping bits and bobs. You are not interested in all that. Or even if you are, you can still do a lot of this print on demand. Then I think that's just so important, isn't it? I mean, did you look at the print on demand merch? Did you find anything you liked? The Draw of Customisation Sacha: Yeah, we did, but I think for me it was that customisation. We are now moving towards — I've just put an order in this morning for 10,000 customised boxes. We've got our own branding on them. We've got a little naughty, cheeky message when they flip up the flap. And it's little things like that that you can't — you know, we wouldn't have control over what was sent. So much of what I wanted, and some of the reasons for me doing it, is that I wanted to be able to sign the books. I was being asked on a daily basis if people could buy signed books from me, and it was driving me bonkers not being able to say yes. But also being able to send a website mailing list sign-up in the box, or being able to give them a discount in the box. I mean, I know you do that, but yeah, there was just a lot more customisation and things that we could do if we were controlling the shipping. Also, I wanted to pack the boxes, the books better. So we wanted to be able to bubble wrap things or we wanted to be able to waterproof things because we had various different issues with deliveries and so we wanted a bit more control over that. So yeah, there were just so many reasons for us to do it. Print on Demand Is Still Fantastic Sacha: Look, don't get me wrong, if I suddenly wanted to go off travelling for a year, then maybe I would shut down the warehouse and go back to print on demand. I think print on demand is fantastic. I did it for 14 months before I decided to open a warehouse. It is the foundation of most authors' models. So it's fantastic. I just want to do more. Joanna: Yeah. You want to do more of it. Life Stage Matters Joanna: We should also, I also wanted to mention your life stage. Because when we did talk about it, your son is just going to secondary school, so we knew that you would be in the same area, right? Sacha: Yeah. Joanna: Because I said to you, you can't just do this and — well, you can, you could ditch it all. But the better decision is to do this for a certain number of years. If you're going to do it, it needs time, right? So you are at that point in your life. Sacha: Yeah, absolutely. We — I mean, we are going to move house, I think, but not that far away. We'll still be in reachable distance of the warehouse. And yeah, the staying power is so important because it's also about raising awareness. You have to train readers to come to you. You have to show them why it's beneficial for them to order directly from you. Growing the Business Year Over Year Sacha: And then you also have to be able to iterate and add more products. Like you were talking earlier about increasing that average order value. And that does come from having more products, but more products does create other issues like space, which may or may not be suffering issues with now. But yeah, so for example, 2024, which was the first real year, I did about 73 and a half thousand British pounds. And then this year, where — as we record this, it's actually the 1st of December — and I'm on 232,000. So from year one to year two, it's a huge difference. And that I do think is about the number of products and the number of things that we have on there. Joanna: And the number of customers. I guess you've also grown your customer base as well. And one of the rules, I guess, in inverted commas, of publishing is that the money is in the backlist. And every time you add to your backlist and every launch, you are selling a lot more of your backlist as well. So I think as time goes on, yeah, you get more books. Kickstarter as an Alternative Joanna: But let's also talk about Kickstarter because I do signed books for my Kickstarters and to me the Kickstarter is like a short-term ability to do the things you are doing regularly. So for example, if you want to do book boxes, you could just do them for a Kickstarter. You don't have to run a warehouse and do it every single day. For example, your last Kickstarter for Ruby Roe made around 150,000 US dollars, which is amazing. Like really fantastic. So just maybe talk about that, any lessons from the Kickstarter specifically, because I feel like most people, for most people listening, they are far more likely to do a Kickstarter than they are to start a warehouse. Pre-Launch Followers Are Critical Sacha: Yeah, so the first thing is even before you start your Kickstarter, the pre-launch follow accounts are critical. So a lot of people think — well, I guess there's a lot of loud noise about all these big numbers about how much people can make on Kickstarter, but actually a lot of it is driven by you, the author, pushing your audience to Kickstarter. So we actually have a formula now. Somebody more intelligent gave this to me, but essentially, based on my own personal campaign data — so this wouldn't necessarily be the same for other people — but based on my campaign data, each pre-launch follower is worth 75 pounds. And then we add on seven grand, for example. So on campaign three, which was the most recent one, I had 1,501 pre-launch followers. And when you times that by 75 and you add on seven grand, it makes more or less exactly what we made on the campaign. And the same formula can be applied to the others. So you need more pre-launch followers than you think you do. And lots of people don't put enough impetus on the marketing beforehand. Almost all of our Kickstarter marketing is beforehand because we drive so many people to that follow button. Early Bird Pricing and Fulfillment Time Sacha: And then the other thing that we do is that we do early bird pricing. So we get the majority of our income on a campaign on day one. I think it was something wild, like 80% this time was on day one, so that's really important. The second thing is it takes so, so very much longer than you think it does to fulfil a campaign, and you must factor in that cost. Because if it's not you fulfilling, you are paying somebody else to fulfil it. And if it is you fulfilling it, you must account for your own time in the pricing of your campaign. And the other thing is that the amount of time it takes to fulfil is directly proportionate to the size of the campaign. That's one thing I did not even compute — the fact that we went from about 56,000 British pounds up to double that, and the time was exponentially more than double. So you do have to think about that. Overseas Printing and Timelines Sacha: The other lesson that we have learned is that overseas printing will drag your timelines out far longer than you think it does. So whatever you think it's going to take you to fulfil, add several months more onto that and put that information in your campaign. And thankfully, we are now only going to be a month delayed, whereas lots of campaigns get up to a year delayed because they don't consider that. Reinvesting Kickstarter Profits Sacha: And then the last thing I think, which was really key for us, is that if you have some profit in the Kickstarter — because not all Kickstarters are actually massively profitable because they either don't account enough for shipping or they don't account enough in the pricing. Thankfully, ours have been profitable, but we've actually reinvested that profit back into buying more stock and more merchandise, which not everybody would want to do if they don't have a warehouse. However, we are stockpiling merchandise and books so that we can do mystery boxes later on down the line. It's probably a year away, but we are buying extra of everything so that we have that in the warehouse. So yeah, depending on what you want to do with your profit, for us it was all about buying more books, basically. Offering Something Exclusive Sacha: I think the other thing to think about is what is it that you are doing that's exclusive to Kickstarter? Because you will get backers on Kickstarter who want that quirky, unique thing that they're not going to be able to get anywhere else. But what about you? Because you've done more Kickstarters than me. What do you think is the biggest lesson you've learned? Reward Tiers and Bundling Joanna: Oh, well I think all of mine together add up to the one you just did. Although I will comment on — you said something like 75 pounds per pre-launch backer. That is obviously dependent on your tiers for the rewards, so most authors won't have that amount. So my average order value, which I know is slightly different, but I don't offer things like book boxes like you have. So a lot of it will depend on the tiers. Some people will do a Kickstarter just with an ebook, just with one ebook and maybe a bundle of ebooks. So you are never going to make it up to that kind of value. So I think this is important too, is have a look at what people offer on their different levels of Kickstarter. And in fact, here's my AI tip for the day. What you can do — what I did with my Buried and the Drowned campaign recently — is I uploaded my book to ChatGPT and said, tell me, what are some ideas for the different reward tiers that I can do on Kickstarter? And it will give you some ideas for what you can do, what kind of bundles you might want to do. So I think bundling your backlist is another thing you can do as upsells, or you can just, for example, for me, when I did Blood Vintage, I did a horror bundle when it was four standalone horror books in one of the upper tiers. So I think bundling is a good way. Also upselling your backlist is a really good way to up things. And also if you do it digitally, so for ebooks and audiobooks, there's a lot less time in fulfillment. Focus on Digital Products Too Joanna: So again, yours — well, you make things hard, but also more fun according to you, because most of it's physical, right? In fact, this is one of the things you haven't done so well, really, is concentrate on the digital side of things. Is that something you are thinking about now? Sacha: Yeah, it is. I mean, we do have our books digitally on the website. So the last — I only had one series in Kindle Unlimited, and I took those out in January. But so we do have all of the digital products on the website, and the novellas that we do, we have in all formats because I narrate the audio for them. So that is something that we're looking at. And since somebody very smart told me to have upsell apps on my website, we now have a full “get the everything bundle” in physical and digital and we are now selling them as well. Surprising. Definitely not you. So yeah, we are looking at it and that's something that we could look at next year as well for advertising because I haven't really done any advertising. I think I've spent about 200 pounds in ads in the last four months or something. It's very, very low level. So that is a way to make a huge amount of profit because the cost is so low. So your return, if you're doing a 40 or 50 pound bundle of ebooks and you are spending, I don't know, four pounds in advertising to get that sale, your return on that investment is enormous for ads. So that is something that we are looking at for next year, but it just hasn't been something that we've done a huge amount of. A Multi-Six-Figure Author With No Ads Joanna: Yeah. Well, just quoting from your solo episode where you say, “I don't have any advertising costs, customers are from my mailing list, TikTok and Instagram.” Now, being as you are a multi-six-figure author with no ads, this is mostly unthinkable for many authors. And so I wonder if, maybe talk about that. How do you think you have done that and can other people potentially emulate it, or do you think it's luck? It's Not Luck, It's Skill Set Sacha: Do you know, this is okay. So I don't think it's luck. I don't believe in luck. I get quite aggressive about people flinging luck around. I know some people are huge supporters of luck. I'm like, no. Do I think anybody can do it? Do you know, I swing so hard on this. Sometimes I say yes, and sometimes I think no. And I think the brutal truth of it is that I know where my skill set lies and I lean extremely heavily into it. So what do I mean by that? TikTok and Instagram are both very visual mediums. It is video footage. It is static images. I am extremely comfortable on camera. I am an ex-theatre kid. I was on TV as a kid. I did voiceover work when I was younger. This is my wheelhouse. So acting a bit like a tit on TikTok on a video, I am very comfortable at doing that, and I think that is reflected in the results. Consistency Without Burnout Sacha: And the other part of it is because I am comfortable at doing it, I enjoy it. It makes me laugh. And therefore it feels easy. And I think because it feels easy, I can do it over and over and over again without burning out. I started posting on TikTok on November the 19th, 2023, and I have posted three times a day every day since. Every single day without stopping, and I do not feel burnt out. And I definitely feel like that is because it's easy for me because I am good at it. Reading the Algorithm Sacha: The other thing that I think goes in here is that I'm very good at reading what's working. So sorry to talk Clifton Strengths, but my number one Clifton Strength is competition. And one of the skills that has is understanding the market. We're very good at having a wide view. So not only do I read the market on Amazon or in bookstores or wherever I can, it's the same skill set but applied to the algorithm. So I am very good at dissecting viral videos and understanding what made it work, in the same way somebody that spends 20,000 pounds a month on Facebook advertising is very good at doing analytics and looking at those numbers. I am useless at that. I just can't do it. I just get complete shutdown. My brain just says no, and I'm incapable of running ads. That's why I don't do it. Not Everyone Can Do This Sacha: So can anybody do this? Maybe. If you are comfortable on camera, if you enjoy it. It's like we've got a mutual friend, Adam Beswick. We call him the QVC Book Bitch because he is a phenomenon on live videos on TikTok and Instagram and wherever he can sell. Anything on those lives. It is astonishing to watch the sales pop in as he's on these lives. I can't think of anything worse. I will do a live, but I'll be signing books and having a good old chitchat. Not like it's — like that hand selling. Another author, Willow Winters, has done like 18 in-person events this year. I literally die on the inside hearing that. But that's what works for them and that's what's helping grow their business models. So ah, honestly, no. I actually don't think anybody can do what I've done. I think if you have a similar skill set to me, then yes you can. But no, and I know that I don't want to crush anybody listening. Do you like social media? I like social media. Do you like being on camera? Then yeah, you can do it. But if you don't, then I just think it's a waste of your time. Find out what you are good at, find out where your skill set is, and then lean in very, very hard. Writing to Your Strengths and Passion Joanna: I also think, because let's be brutal, you had books before and they didn't sell like this. Sacha: Yep. Joanna: So I also think that you leaned into — yes, of course, sapphic romance is a big sub-genre, but you love it. And also it's your lived experience with the sapphic sub-genre. This is not you chasing a trend, right? I think that's important too because too many people are like, oh, well maybe this is the latest trend. And is TikTok a trend? And then try and force them together, whereas I feel like you haven't done that. Sacha: No, and actually I spoke to lots of people who were very knowledgeable on the market and they all said, don't do it. And the reason for this is that there were no adult lesbian sapphic romance books that were selling when I looked at the market and decided that this was what I wanted to write. And I was like, cool, I'm going to do it then. And rightly so, everyone was like, well, there's no evidence to suggest that this is going to make any money. You are taking a huge risk. And I was like, yeah, but I will. I knew from the outset before I even put a word to the page how I was going to market it. And I think that feeling of coming home is what I — I created a home for myself in my books and that is why it's just felt so easy to market. Lean Into What You're Good At Sacha: It's like you, with your podcasting. Nobody can get anywhere near your podcast because you are so good at it. You've got such a history. You are so natural with your podcasting that you are just unbeatable, you know? So it's a natural way for you to market it. Joanna: Many have tried, but no, you're right. It's because I like this. And what's so funny — I'm sure I've mentioned it on the show — but I did call you one day and say, okay, all right, show me how to do this TikTok thing. And you spent like two hours on the phone with me and then I basically said no. Okay. I almost tried and then I just went, no, this is definitely not for me. And I think that this has to be one of the most important things as an author. Maybe some people listening are just geeking out over packaging like you are, and maybe they're the people who might look at this potential business model. Whereas some people are like me and don't want to go anywhere near it. And then other people like you want to do video and maybe other people like me want to do audio. So yeah, it's so important to find, well, like you said, what does not work for you? What is fun for you and when are you having a good time? Because otherwise you would have a job. Like to me, it looks like a job, you having a warehouse. But to you, it's not the same as when you were grinding it out back in 2022. Packing Videos Are Peak Content Sacha: Completely. And I think if you look at my social media feeds, they are disproportionately full of packing videos, which I think tells you something. Joanna: Oh dear. I just literally — I'm just like, oh my, if I never see any more packaging, I'll be happy. Sacha: Yeah. That's good. The One Time Sacha Nearly Burnt It All Down Sacha: I have to say, there was one moment where I doubted everything. And that was at the end — but basically, in about, of really poor timing. I ended up having to fulfil every single pre-order of my latest release and hand packing about a thousand books in two weeks. And I nearly burnt it all to the ground. Joanna: Because you didn't have enough staffing, right? And your mum was sick or something? Sacha: Yeah, exactly that. And I had to do it all by myself, and I was alone in the warehouse and it was just horrendous. So never again. But hey, I learned the lessons and now I'm like, yay, let's do it again. Things Change: Building Resilience Into Your Business Joanna: Yeah. And make sure there's more staffing. Yes, I've talked a lot on this show — things change, right? Things change. And in fact, the episode that just went out today as we record this with Jennifer Probst, which she talked about hitting massive bestseller lists and doing just incredibly well, and then it just dropped off and she had to pivot and change things. And I'm not like Debbie Downer, but I do say things will change. So what are you putting in place to make sure, for example, TikTok finally does disappear or get banned, or that sapphic romance suddenly drops off a cliff? What are you doing to make sure that you can keep going in the future? Managing Cash Flow and Salaries Sacha: Yeah, so I think there's a few things. The first big one is managing cash flow and ensuring that I have three to six months' worth of staff salaries, for want of a better word, in an account. So if the worst thing happens and sales drop off — because I am responsible for other people's income now — that I'm not about to shaft a load of people. So that really helps give you that risk reassurance. Mailing Lists and Marketing Funnels Sacha: The second thing is making sure that we are cultivating our mailing lists, making sure that we are putting in infrastructure, like things like upsell apps. And, okay, so here's a ridiculous lesson that I learned in 2025: an automation sequence, an onboarding automation sequence, is not what people mean when they say you need a marketing funnel. I learned this in Vegas. A marketing funnel will sell your products to your existing readers. So when a customer signs up to your mailing list because they've purchased something, they will be tagged and then your email flow system will then send them a 5% discount on this, or “did you know you could bundle up and get blah?” So putting that kind of stuff in place will mean that we can take more advantage of the customers that we've already got. Standard Operating Procedures Sacha: It's also things like organisational knowledge. My team is big enough now that there are things in my business I don't know how to do. That's quite daunting for somebody who is a control freak. So I visited Vegas in 2025 and I sat in a session all on — this sounds so sexy — but standard operating procedures. And now I've given my team the job of creating a process instruction manual on how they do each of their tasks so that if anybody's sick, somebody else can pick it up. If somebody leaves, we've got that infrastructure in place. And even things down to things like passwords — who, if I unfortunately got hit by a car, who can access my Amazon account? Stuff like that, unfortunately. Joanna: Yeah, I know. Well, I mean, that would be tragic, wouldn't it? Sacha: But it's stuff like that. Building Longer Timelines Sacha: But then also more day-to-day things is putting in infrastructure that pulls me out. So looking more at staffing responsibilities for staffing so that I don't always have to be there, and creating longer timelines. That is probably the most important thing that we can do because we've got a book box launching next summer. And we both had the realisation — I say we, me and my operations manager — had the realisation that actually we ought to be commissioning the cover and the artwork now because of how long those processes take. So I'm a little bit shortsighted on timelines, I think. So putting a bit more rigour in what we do and when. We now have a team-wide heat map where we know when the warehouse is going to be really, really full, when staff are off, when deliveries are coming, and that's projected out a year in advance. So lots and lots of things that are changing. And then I guess also eventually we will do advertising as well. But that is a few months down the line. Personal Financial Resilience Sacha: And then on the more personal side, it's looking at things like not just how you keep the business running, but how do you keep yourself running? How do you make sure that, let's say you have a bad sales month, but you still have to pay your team? How are you going to get paid? So I, as well as having put staff salaries away, I also have my own salary. I've got a few months of my own salary put away. And then investing as well. I know, I am not a financial advisor, but I do invest money. I serve money that I pay myself. You can also do things like having investment vehicles inside your business if you want to deal with extra cash. And then I am taking advice from my accountant and my financial advisor on do I put more money into my pension — because did I say that I also have a pension? So I invest in my future as well. Or do I set up another company and have a property portfolio? Or how do I essentially make the money that is inside the business make more money rather than reinvesting it, spending it, and reinvesting it on things that don't become assets or don't become money generating? What can I do with the cash that's inside the company in order to then make it make more for the long term? Because then if you do have a down six months or worse, a down year, for example, you've got enough cash and equity inside the business to cover you during those lower months or years or weeks — or hopefully just a day. Different Business Models for Different Authors Joanna: Yes, of course. And we all hope it just carries on up and to the right, but sometimes it doesn't work that way. So it's really great that you are doing all those things. And I think what's lovely and why we started off with you giving us that potted history was it hasn't always been this way. So if you are listening to this and you are like, well, I've only got one ebook for sale on Amazon, well that might be all you ever want to do, which is fine. Or you can come to where my business model is, which is mostly even — I use print on demand, but it's mostly digital. It's mostly online. It's got no packaging that I deal with. Or you can go even further like Sacha and Adam Beswick and Willow Winters. But because that is being talked about a lot in the community, that's why we wanted to do this — to really show you that there's different people doing different things and you need to choose what's best for you. What Are You Excited About for 2026? Joanna: But just as we finish, just tell us what are you excited about for 2026? Sacha: Oh my goodness me. I am excited to iterate my craft. And this is completely not related to the warehouse, but I have gotten myself into a position where I get to play with words again. So I'm really excited for the things that I'm going to write. But also in terms of the warehouse, we've got the new packaging, so getting to see those on social media. We are also looking at things like book boxes. So we are doing a set of three book boxes and these are going to be new and bigger and better than anything that we've done before. And custom tailored. Oh, without giving too much away, but items that go inside and also the artwork. I love working with artists and commissioning different art projects. But yeah, basically more of the same, hopefully world domination. Joanna: World domination. Fantastic. So basically more creativity. Sacha: Yeah. Joanna: And also a bigger business. Because I know you are ambitious and I love that. I think it's really good for people to be ambitious. Joanna: Oh, I do have another question. Do you have more sympathy for traditional publishing at this point? Sacha: How dare you? Unfortunately, yeah. I really have learnt the hard way why traditional publishers need the timelines that they need. This latest release was probably the biggest that — so this latest release, which was called Architecting, is the reason that I did the podcast episode, because I learned so many lessons. And in particular about timelines and how tight things get, and it's just not realistic when you are doing this physical business. So that's another thing if you are listening and you are like, oh no, no, no, I like the immediacy of being able to finish, get it back from the editor and hit publish — this ain't for you, honey. This is not for you. Joanna: Yeah. No, that's fantastic. Where to Find Sacha and Ruby Roe Joanna: So where can people find you and your books online? Sacha: For the Ruby Empire, it's RubyRoe.co.uk and RubyRoeAuthor on TikTok if you'd like to see me dancing like a wally. And then Instagram, I'm back as @SachaBlackAuthor on Instagram. Joanna: Brilliant. Thanks so much for your time, Sacha. That was great. Sacha: Thank you for having me.The post Two Different Approaches To Selling Books Direct With Sacha Black And Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

The only thing better than historical Christian fiction is possibly... historical Christian fiction at Christmas? One full of faith and possibility?  Listen in as Heidi Gray McGill talk about her Discerning God's Best series and her new release, A Place to Belong.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Don't miss tomorrow's release Before We Belong--the PREQUEL to the whole series FREE from Heidi's WEBSITE. A Place to Belong by Heidi Gray McGill Some fresh starts begin in silence… others begin with a baby's cry. Josephine Blake has run out of places to hide. Pregnant and burdened by secrets, she flees the whispers of Philadelphia, clinging to the hope that her former boardinghouse roommate in Shumard Oak Bend will take her in. When a weathered but kind-hearted miner offers her a ride west, she dares to believe she might finally outrun her shame. But hope comes at a price… and Josephine isn't sure she can afford it. Jeremiah Remington lost everything in the war—his family, his home, even one arm. Now a quiet fixture in the growing town, he avoids entanglements, content to live on the edges of community. But when Josephine arrives with wary eyes, an iron will, and a child on the way, Jeremiah is drawn to something he thought he'd given up for good—a second chance at family. As Christmas nears and the town orphanage opens its doors, Josephine is offered a new beginning—not just for herself, but for her daughter. But when the past threatens to unravel it all, she must decide: keep running… or stay and fight for the place—and the man—God may have prepared for her. A marriage of convenience. A scandalous past. A baby who changes everything. And the kind of love only a Savior can give. If your heart longs for stories of quiet redemption, fierce hope, and homes built one act of grace at a time, A Place to Belong will welcome you in. Fans of Misty M. Beller, Liz Tolsma, Karen Witemeyer, and Jody Hedlund will feel right at home in this heartfelt Christmas novella. A Place to Belong is a standalone Christmas companion novella in the Discerning God's Best series, following Healing of the Heart (Book 5).  Learn more about Heidi on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss Heidi's YOUTUBE Channel where you can listen to some of her books FREE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

All authors put a bit of themselves in their books. They can't help it. But while chatting with author Joy Crain, I saw it in a whole new way. Her books in the Royals of Andelar series are her story--and not. But they are. Listen in to see what I mean and to hear her amazing life story. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. What happens when an author lives where internet is tightly regulated?  We get creative. My usual recording program? Not allowed.  Zoom? Nope. Finally, I recorded us with "print screen video."  Of course, I had to extract the audio separately and all but... we got there in the end.   What a great conversation! The Cost of the Crown by Joy Crain  Missy Hanson never dreamed of falling in love and living happily ever after. In fact, she doesn't know what she wants to do after she graduates from college; nevertheless, she's content working as a journalist for her local newspaper and assisting at her aunt's California bakery. When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity emerges for her to visit the southeast Asian country of Andelar, Missy is thrown into the world of royalty as the special guest of the king and queen—and it's clear she doesn't belong, despite her family ties to the area. But the royal family isn't without its mysteries. Rumors abound that a secret prince is hiding amid Andelar's society, and Missy is determined to find out who he is. Aiden Waverly never wanted a crown or a title. He craves a normal life, but being a secret prince of biracial background is difficult enough and would create chaos amid the tabloids if the press learned about his parentage. After years of traveling the world to help those in the greatest of need, he's faced with a life-altering decision: take his place as crown prince or walk away as a commoner. With no clear path that will satisfy him and the royal family, the tug between following his heart and doing his duty to Andelar becomes harder every day. Learn more about Joy on the WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 Author Jessica Wakefield has pulled together a Christmas romance extravaganza. Calling it "Gilmore Girls meets Romeo and Juliet" (sans unintentional death pact), Wakefield offers a Christmas party like no other. Listen in to see what I mean. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Full of fun tropes, It Shouldn't Be You is exactly what the Christmaws doctor ordered. It Shouldn't Be You by Jessica Wakefield To revive his stalled career, jaded journalist Declan Collins is assigned to cover the Hamiltons' extravagant Christmas party—the same Hamiltons who are demolishing the community centre where Declan spent some of the best moments of his childhood. Addey Bennet, the event planner behind the party, needs everything to go perfectly. Her business is on the line, and so is her chance to mend a strained relationship with her powerful parents—the ones footing the bill. Neither of them expects the spark between them. Addey never planned to fall for the man who resents everything her family stands for. Declan never imagined he'd be drawn to the Hamiltons' daughter. But as tensions rise and emotions deepen, their unexpected connection could cost them everything they've worked for—and maybe even a shot at love. It's Gilmore Girls meets Romeo and Juliet in this heartfelt, kissing-only story, combining humor and faith, with sparks flying off the page. Learn more about Jessica on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Nothing hurts more than family turning against you--unless it's God's family. Listen in as author Sarah Hanks and I talk about her Brave Authors anthologies, why she organized them, and more. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Large publishing houses have to be careful with what they offer the public. Taking risks is a fine way to ensure they go under. But many readers want the tougher stories, the grittier, "this hurts but we can do something about it" tales that go beyond, "it was a difficult time" and works to debride the wound through story. Hanks and her anthologies dealing with difficult topics like church hurt and abuse and abortion and trafficking... they do just that. Every Voice Heard by Sarah Hanks & Others Praise Through the Pain by N. Y. Dunlap She walked away from the church. He's finding his way back. One year after the tragedy, their paths cross, and God's not finished with either of them. A poignant Christian romance about rediscovering faith, and the kind of love that gently leads you home. Rapha by D.T. Powell After leaving her home church several months ago due to malicious rumors, Rebecca is tired of searching for a new congregation. When she settles on a church to visit through the holiday months, she discovers that her newest supervisee at work is the pastor. And not everyone is eager to have him behind the pulpit. For the Love of Truth by Sarah Hanks Candi loves her role as personal assistant to megachurch pastor Richard Blake. But when she meets Justice, he exposes the flaws of her "perfect" church family and she discovers her pastor isn't who he seems to be. Freedom lies on the other side of truth, if only she'll allow Justice and the Lord to lead her there. 10% of all proceeds go to beEmboldened, a non-profit that exists for the prevention of and healing from spiritual abuse. Don't miss the Brave Author Website! Learn more about Sarah on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

In a world that says, "be silent about your faith," Michael E. Cafferky writes about one man who risks everything to be authentic and open about who he is in Christ. Listen in to learn more about Cafferky's inspiration and what's coming down the line. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Sometimes, life-altering moments show us just what is most important and changes our trajectory. But what if doing the right thing has further life-altering consequences? Had a blast talking with Michael about this book and some of the ideas he has for future books.  He's an author I'm going to watch closely! On the Brink by Michael E. Cafferky To save his career, he must risk it all—including his marriage. Gabriel Oliver has everything he's ever wanted—a successful career, a loving wife, a position of influence. But when a life-threatening illness forces him to look inward, Gabriel realizes he's been living his Christian faith in name only. He returns to work committed to be an ambassador for Christ in his workplace, but instead sparks tension, alienates his colleagues, and puts a strain on his marriage. Should he keep quiet and protect all he holds dear, or stand up for his beliefs and risk everything? Join Gabriel as he discovers what being a believer in an unbelieving world truly means. Learn more about Michael on his WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Nothing pulls at my inner middle-grade than a good mystery, and Kay DiBianca provides that in spades!  Listen in to learn what her young sleuths, Reen and Joanie, are up to next! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. After their success with the time capsule treasure, Reen and Joanie head off to "The Big Apple" for more adventures! Knights in Manhattan by Kay DiBianca WHO NEEDS ARMOR? TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS IN SNEAKERS TAKE ON THE BIG APPLE... A gang of tricky thieves is on the loose in Manhattan, but no need to worry. The Reen & Joanie Detective Agency is on the case. The two pint-sized detectives track the crooks through some of the most famous landmarks in New York, but can the girls decode the strange clues and stop the criminals before they get away? Hamsters, secret passageways, and a seven-year-old genius named Miles all contribute to this fun, action-packed romp through the streets and buildings of Manhattan. Learn more about Kay on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss the episode about Lacy's Star (the Lady Pilot in Command series) HERE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Not all historical fiction focuses on an actual person, but Terrie Todd found one amazing woman and her story set during WWII to bring to life through story.  Listen in and learn why she wrote it and who this amazing woman was.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. WWII is full of incredible stories and has inspired some of fiction's greatest novels. Terrie Todd adds to her own collection of amazing WWII novels with the fictionalized story of one brave woman's determination to save children from death after Germans blew their ship out of the water. Even if I Perish by Terrie Todd  Based on a miraculous true story of courage in the face of impossible odds. "If I perish, I perish." A sermon based on Queen Esther's famous words spurs music teacher Mary Cornish to action. She volunteers to escort a group of 15 girls from England to Canada as part of Britain's World War II child evacuation program. All is well aboard the SS City of Benares until September 17, 1940. With a storm brewing in the North Atlantic, a German U-boat releases its torpedo and breaches the ship's hull. Do the Nazis know ninety children are on board? In the scramble to save as many lives as possible, Mary lands in a crowded lifeboat as the only female among crew members, passengers, and six young boys. In the storm's aftermath, two things soon become crystal clear: that Lifeboat 12 has become separated from all the others, and that Mary has been placed here for such a time as this--even if she perishes. Learn more about Terrie on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

There's so much pain in the world, and the church doesn't escape it. Whether "friendly fire" or abuse, people hurt, and the authors of Every Voice Heard decided to tackle it through story. Listen in as I chat with D. T. Powell about her story in the anthology. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Powell gives us her reasons and her heart behind her story of church hurt. Every Voice Heard by N. Y. Dunlap, D. T. Powell, and Sarah Hanks Praise Through the Pain by N. Y. Dunlap She walked away from the church. He's finding his way back. One year after tragedy, their paths cross, and God's not finished with either of them. A poignant Christian romance about rediscovering faith, and the kind of love that gently leads you home. Rapha by D.T. Powell After leaving her home church several months ago due to malicious rumors, Rebecca is tired of searching for a new congregation. When she settles on a church to visit through the holiday months, she discovers that her newest supervisee at work is the pastor. And not everyone is eager to have him behind the pulpit. For the Love of Truth by Sarah Hanks Candi loves her role as personal assistant to megachurch pastor Richard Blake. But when she meets Justice, he exposes the flaws of her "perfect" church family and she discovers her pastor isn't who he seems to be. Freedom lies on the other side of truth, if only she'll allow Justice and the Lord to lead her there. 10% of all proceeds go to beEmboldened, a non-profit that exists for the prevention of and healing from spiritual abuse. Learn all about the series at BraveAuthors.com and purchase them HERE. Learn more about beEmboldened HERE. Also, find D. T. Powell on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Secret police, an enslaved populace, a suppressed faith. Listen in to see what you can expect in J. A. Webb's next thriller in the Seeker Series! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I want to say that when you look at the world today and compare it to Webb's Seeker Series, you can see where things could lead to.  But it's not just today.  Compare it to the 1950s or the 1910s or... or... or... Interregnum by J. A. Webb The Book of Eli meets Frank Peretti An Epic Thriller of Deception, Faith, and the Fight for Truth Now comes the third installment in J. A. Webb's "Seekers Series"- and the War in Heaven, the Battle in Unseen Places . . . just got real. It's the year 2158 and the world did not end- it was enslaved. Now the Seekers are humanity's last hope. Hunted by the Eye of the Eternal—the Order's merciless secret police—these brave rebels have risked everything to find the lost Words of Creator God, banned for generations and lost to living memory. Now, what began as a quest for Truth has evolved into a desperate struggle for survival as, trapped and cornered, the Seekers must overcome not just their pursuers, but also their own doubts and fears as their own faith . . . and even their sanity . . . begins to unravel. Their beleaguered company threatens to fracture beneath the pressure of constant pursuit and uncertain reward as they ask- Is this quest worth the sacrifice of their lives? But still, something ancient and powerful calls them forward, promising answers to questions they've only dared to whisper in the dark. Because their search is now not only one of survival, but has evolved into a battle for the soul of humanity itself. And the hunters that stalk them are not all of this world. A Gripping Tale of Power, Deception, and the Courage to Seek Truth Fans of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, and the sprawling worlds of Dune and Atlas Shrugged will be captivated by the pulse-pounding fusion of high-stakes thriller, epic sci-fi, and profound spiritual warfare. ⚡ A suspense-filled journey into a world where illusion is law and questioning it means death. If you love stories of faith, defiance, and the battle against unseen tyranny, this is the book for you. The Order has ruled from the shadows long enough. Are you ready to see the truth? Learn more about J. A. Webb on his WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads and BookBub. Listen to the first episode HERE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Many sit in cubicles every day and dream of abandoning the office, the politics, the metrics, and the madness and embarking on a life of creative freedom and fulfilment. Few actually make the transition. Once you're in the corporate world, it's hard to leave. The paycheck leads to a lifestyle that is not easy to walk away from, and your whole identity and sense of self get enmeshed with everything that comes with it. Tim van Es was riding high as an executive at Unilever - at least on paper. He was traveling the world and getting promotion after promotion. But under the surface, things were less than idyllic. In a special two-part series on the Travel Writing Podcast, Tim shares how he made the leap out of the corporate world and reinvented himself as a full-time writer. In part one, published today, he talks about his life, his travels, and the series of events which led to the moment of definitive change. In part two, coming next week, he talks in depth about the resulting book, The Chaiwallah, an Amazon bestseller promoted by Bookbub this week.

 Looking for a cozy holiday read, Tasha Tackett's got you covered. Listen in while we talk about her Holidays in Hadley Springs series. Don't know about you, but Planning for Nickie sounds delightful. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  EEEP! I had a blast chatting with Tasha about her Hadley Springs series. I'm thinking we need to urge her to go on to do more than just major holidays. What about National Donut Day or Beach Reads Day (that's a thing, right?  If not, maybe she can make it one!) Planning for Nickie by Tasha Hackett  "Fifty-three weeks is plenty of time to find a wife. One week to plan, fifty-two to execute." Career-obsessed Mark is history. From now on, my heart is open and ready for a family. No more fifth wheel. No more working alone through dinner in restaurant booths. Solo Mark is out. Family man is in. As with every challenge, I've divided the task into a step-by-step process. While on holiday in Hadley Springs, Nebraska, I drafted the twelve-month plan. I included a detailed description of what I'm looking for and a spreadsheet for the expected timeline. Project: Find-A-Wife will commence as soon as I return home to Phoenix. It's all well and good until I join my cousins on a blizzard walk for a few donuts. Who knew a chance encounter with a scrubs-wearing, sweet-smiling, schedule-wrecking woman would derail my life so efficiently? To Do: 1. Drink coffee 2. Review the plan 3. Find a wife *** If you loved the Carol Award-winning novel, Waiting for Gilbert (Holidays in Hadley Springs, Book 1), get ready to fall in love all over again in Hadley Springs, Nebraska. Learn more about Tasha on WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Subscribe to her YouTube channel so she gets paid for sharing her FREE Audioboks! Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

The Blasters & Blades PodcastWe've got another #kickstarter episode for you with author Katherine Villyard. She's here to talk about her book The Immortal Gifts and the audiobook she's trying to fund. This will give the existing book a one-of-a-kind hardcover edition and cover her tri-cast audiobook. This was a fun interview, so go check out this episode. Lend us your eyes and ears, you won't be sorry!! Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorThe Immortal Gifts Kickstarter with Katherine Villyard: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/villyard/immortal-gifts-hardcover-paperback-and-audiobook Coffee Brand Coffee Affiliate Support the Show: https://coffeebrandcoffee.com/?ref=y4GWASiVorJZDb Discount Code: PodcastGrunts Coupon Code Gets you 10% off Follow Katherine Villyard on social mediaKatherine's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Katherine-Villyard/author/B0BDSYDTZR Katherine's Website: https://www.katherinevillyard.com/ Katherine's BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/katherinevillyard.com Katherine's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatherineVillyardAuthor/ Katherine's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvillyardauthor Katherine's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@villyard Katherine's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/villyardk Katherine's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KatherineVillyardBooks Katherine's Tip Jar: https://ko-fi.com/kvillyard Katherine's Mastadon: https://wandering.shop/@kvillyard Katherine's BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-villyard Katherine's Store: https://shop.katherinevillyard.com/ Katherine's Newsletter: https://storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/dc105824-93af-11ed-ac95-c3a0a84189f1 Katherine's GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/kmankiller #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #TheImmortalGifts #Kickstarter #KatherineVillyard #starwars #jedi #georgelucas #lucasfilms #startrek #trekkie #firefly #serenity #browncoat #wheeloftime #wot #robertjordan #brandonsanderson #gameofthrones #got #grrm #georgerrmartin #ChroniclesofNarnia #CSLewis #vampire #Dracula #AnneRice #Wolf #Werewolf #DavidEddings #TheBelgariad #LotR #LordOfTheRings #JRRTolkien #Tolkien #HeroesJourney #triceratops #GreenTea #MatchaLatte #PublicLibrary #UrsulaKLeGuin #TheLeftHandOfDarkness #TheDispossessed #TheLatheOfHeaven #Earthsea #LibraryScience #AAFES #ArmyAirForceExchangeServices #PX

After a pile of sweet romances, sometimes you need something with... teeth.  You know?  And what's better than a book with a bit of both?  Listen in while Lori DeJong and I chat about Mistletoe and Malice! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  This was such a fun conversation. And chatting about the fun of hiding from would-be abductors, reluctant bodyguards, and all the fun?  How could it not be??? Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father's demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence. Colton isn't thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she's everything he thought he'd left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper … and far more perilous. When a second attempt on Riley's life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can't outrun, and a faith he's all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again … before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good. We also talked about the final book in her True Calling series, Love's True Measure. You can learn more about Lori (and join her newsletter!) on her WEBSITE. Find her on GoodReads and BookBub. Listen to the first two episodes about the True Calling series HERE and HERE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

What's better than a second-chance romance?  Maybe one wrapped in a beautiful women's fiction story?  Listen as Rachel Hauck and I chat about her latest book, The Sands of Sea Blue Beach. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Loves writing about characters healing their wounds and coming to the knowledge of Truth.  Psst... don't miss Meet Me at the Starlight Inn, too! Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck Can anything rekindle the summer love between former sweethearts facing old wounds and a divided town? Emery Quinn finds herself at a crossroads between her career and complex family dynamics. Struggling to connect with her blended family and ready for a fresh start, Emery accepts the position of editor-in-chief at the Sea Blue Beach Gazette. Upon her return to the Sands Motor Motel, she is flooded with bittersweet memories of her late mother and past regrets from a long-ago summer. Architect Caleb Ransom has returned home to Sea Blue Beach, a place filled with cherished memories and potential opportunities. He means to make a difference for his family and his hometown by caring for his troubled sister's son and preserving the history of the town as the leader of the new Main Street initiative. He certainly never expected to run into Emery Quinn, the girl who captured his heart sixteen summers ago. As Emery and Caleb revive their friendship, they find themselves facing a bitterly divided town. Together, they navigate family challenges, professional setbacks, and a high-stakes royal visit to discover how forgiveness and love can reshape their hearts and their destiny. You can find out more about Rachel on her WEBSITE.  Follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. And don't forget that you can get 30% off the book with free shipping at BakerBookHouse.com. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Writing with passion for women of the past, Jane Kirkpatrick is back with Across the Crying Sands, book one of The Women of Cannon Beach. Listen in to learn about the woman who inspired this book. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Women can be crazy resilient--using seemingly odd things to overcome difficulties. Taking on a mail route for mental health?  Well, if that's what she needs,  I'm all for it! I love the way Jane Kirkpatrick shows how history's women refuse to be neatly tucked into pigeon-holed boxes as a one-note.  Beautiful. Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick A Tale of Uncharted Adventure and Discovery Inspired by a True Story In 1888, Mary Edwards Gerritse is a witty and confident young woman who spends as much time as possible outdoors on the rugged Oregon coast, where she and her husband, John, have settled. The two are a formidable pair who are working hard to prove their homesteading claim and build a family. But as Mary faces struggles of young motherhood and questions about her family of origin, she realizes that life is far from the adventure she imagined it would be. After losing the baby she's carrying, grief threatens Mary, but she finds an unconventional way to bring joy back into her life--by taking over a treacherous postal route. As Mary becomes the first female mail carrier to traverse the cliff-hugging mountain trails and remote Crying Sands Beach, with its changing tides and sudden squalls, she recaptures the spark she lost and discovers that a life without risk is no life at all. In this inspirational historical Christian novel, a pioneer female mail carrier lives a life of resilience, including grappling with grief and the loss of a child and facing the challenges of frontier life. You can find out more about Jane on her WEBSITE. and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Grab your preorder of book two at Bakerbookhouse.com HERE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Chapter books about sharing Jesus with the world?  Yes, please!  Listen in as Jenny Marcelene and I chat about her new series and the heart behind her stories. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I keep thinking of this series as "Jumanji meets The Chosen Kids" but for new readers.  How cool is that!   Christmas is coming, and this would be a great stocking stuffer for a new reader in your life! The Dreamer by Jenny Marcelene Join God's Global Plan Ten-year-old Jason is unsure if God is still at work around the world. That is, until he and his younger brother, Fred, discover a board game that transports them to countries across the globe. But one mistake could mean being stuck in a country with no way home. In The Dreamer, Jason and Fred must fulfill a strange mission to deliver a holy book to a dreamer in Afghanistan. If only the brothers knew who. Can they lose the mysterious person following them and figure out who needs the book before time runs out? Find out in this first book in Jenny Marcelene's To the Ends series. To the Ends is an international adventure series helping children ages 6-10 cultivate a biblical worldview and spark prayer for the nations.  Learn more about Jenny on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Sometimes, the dystopian worlds of good fiction feel all too familiar when it shouldn't. Listen in to see why I couldn't help but draw parallels between the worlds of J. L. Burrows' Freefalling and certain sections of the world today. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Not only did we talk about Burrows' dystopian world, we also discussed the education system today and how it is and isn't serving our children. Freefalling by J. L. Burrows Under the Dome, peace reigns ... forcefully. One hundred and eighty years in the future, the U.S. government eradicates warfare and violence. Serenity should feel safe, but she doesn't. Serenity Knowles knows two things for certain. Finishing her government assigned community service as a teacher is mandatory in order to start her adult life. And stopping those in power from reconditioning two of her favorite students will ruin her chances at a future and a life. Everything she thought she once knew to be true, suddenly is now in question after her typically peaceful girls fight in plain view of everyone at school. The Federal Bureau of Acceptance storms in and collects them both for reconditioning—chemical brainwashing. With no one to help, Serenity is driven into a wild rescue and escape plan. The girls can't be made into shadow children, brainwashed and limited to a menial future. All that stands between the overreaching government and her girls is Serenity's budding faith, a furry beast companion, her modified illegal AI, and a ragtag group of men and women set against the use of cutting-edge technology and genetically modified bio-weapons on citizens under the Dome. If any of them get caught, they will be reconditioned. If they don't move fast enough, the girls will be lost. If she doesn't become a hero, any hope of a real future will be forfeit. In her transformation from a teacher with a broken family to a radical defector leading a team of rebels, Sere discovers America's deadliest threat—its own government. Also, don't miss Parabolic Orbits--Jesus' parables told in SCI FI worlds. EEEP!   Wonders within the Starlit Inn is a great idea for Christmas!!! Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

What happens when one of your dearest friends also happens to be one of the people you admire most in your professional world? That's exactly the conversation I get to have today—and I couldn't be more thrilled.This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Nicole Meier, isn't just a brilliant creative—she's family. We've raised our kids together, navigated the loss of our parents side by side, and cheered each other on as our careers evolved. She's been a confidant, a mentor, and, without exaggeration, a savant in her craft.Nicole is a certified book coach, developmental editor, and author of four novels whose work has been featured by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and PopSugar. She hosts The Whole Writer podcast for emerging authors, and is a co-founder of Book Works, where she and her partner combine book coaching and branding insight to guide writers to expand their creative community and connect with ideal readers.✨ In this episode, Nicole shares how she found her way back to creativity while raising three kids (including twins!), supporting aging parents, and juggling all the roles so many of us know too well. Once her kids were in school, she made a powerful choice: to reclaim her voice. Writing became her lifeline—and along the way, she discovered lessons in commitment, boundaries, and courage.✨ She also gets real about resistance—the sneaky excuses that keep us from doing the work we're meant to do. Whether it sounds like, “I'll start when the kids are older,” or “I don't want people to judge me,” Nicole reminds us that resistance is just fear in disguise.✨ This conversation is packed with practical wisdom—how to structure your creative day, silence your inner critic, and build your confidence through simple daily actions.And here's the beautiful truth Nicole offers: creativity isn't a luxury or a someday dream. It's a vital practice that keeps us connected to who we truly are.So grab a pen and paper for this one—you'll want to take notes. Whether you're a writer, entrepreneur, parent, or simply someone ready to stop making excuses, this episode will remind you that your creative spark never left you. It's just waiting for you to choose it.

Some authors know just how to tug at my heartstrings before I even open the book.  Listen in to see why I'm eager to read Katie Powner's latest book, When the Road Comes Around. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  If you're looking for books with depth, tackling tough topics with gentleness and grace, look no further.  Powner shares her heart for story in this interview.  You don't want to miss her books. They're sure to soothe the soul and point you to Jesus. When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner Only trouble can bring about the beauty of redemption and grace. In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. When he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, however, his life seems to take a positive turn. As he develops a soft spot for Sam, the ranch owner's disabled son, and a special bond with TJ, a rescue horse with a poor reputation of his own, Tad becomes determined not to bungle it up this time. Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn't anticipate is that Tad's presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more of a mess than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and what grace really means. Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

The following ten points were written by the Comet AI browser based on the following question: What are the ten best ways to market a book in today's world?I would quibble about the results of the AI's recommendations — and I will do so in a later podcast episode. I would also use most common language in making these points. Too many long words and too many long paragraphs.Note: The attached video is one of three videos created by NotebookLM using the following words as input. In the next two episodes, I'll be sharing two additional videos created by Notebook LM in a fwe minutes.The top ten most effective ways to market a book in 2026 combine digital engagement, community-building, and strategic partnerships to maximize reach and sales.1. Social Media MarketingUsing platforms like TikTok (BookTok), Instagram (Bookstagram), and X (formerly Twitter) to engage readers with authentic, behind-the-scenes content helps authors build visibility and brand loyalty. Choosing one or two platforms that align with your audience ensures consistent engagement rather than scattered efforts.2. Influencer & Partnership MarketingCollaborating with book bloggers, podcasters, and relevant influencers helps authors reach engaged audiences through trusted recommendations. Relationships built on shared interests and authenticity are more impactful than broad, transactional promotions.3. Email Marketing & Author NewslettersA consistent newsletter or mailing list is one of the most reliable long-term assets for authors. By offering exclusive content, early previews, or discounts, writers can nurture loyal readers outside of unpredictable social platforms.4. Book Blogs, Podcasts, and Media OutreachAppearing on book blogs and podcasts, or sending press releases to targeted outlets, expands a book's visibility across established communities. This strategy works especially well for authors who wish to reduce reliance on social media.5. Building an Author Website and SEOA dedicated author website acts as an online hub for readers, containing book details, press information, and blog updates. Optimizing it for discovery through Google Search Console, Analytics, and SEO best practices ensures sustained organic traffic.6. Amazon and Meta AdvertisingRunning targeted ads on Amazon and Meta platforms remains a powerful driver of sales. Promotional pricing campaigns (like temporary discounts) attract new readers and improve visibility in algorithms and rankings.7. Speaking Engagements and Author EventsParticipating in literary festivals, book signings, or conferences helps authors connect personally with readers. Hosting workshops or talks about the book's themes can lead to immediate sales and future opportunities.8. Reader Reviews and TestimonialsEncouraging reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and BookBub boosts credibility and discoverability. Sharing positive reviews on social channels and websites reinforces social proof.9. Cross-Promotions With Other AuthorsPartnering with authors in similar genres to share audiences through joint emails, giveaways, or bundles amplifies exposure while minimizing costs.10. Book Teasers, Giveaways, and Promotional GraphicsCreating visual content—like teaser trailers, quote graphics, or giveaways—helps generate pre-launch excitement and viral sharing, especially when timed with major milestones or seasonal events.These ten approaches together form a balanced, multi-channel marketing plan adaptable to both indie and traditionally published authors in 2026's competitive marketplace.Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.How to Write an Article Trove Book (Write a Book in 10 Days or Less Series)The easiest lengthy book to write in 10 days or less is to collect a number of your articles on your website, text from podcast episodes, blog posts, or social media posts and compile them into a themed book. This book shows how you to create such a collection quickly and easily. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

The one-year anniversary for book one of the Dauntless Defenders is TODAY! Listen in to  my chat with Taylor S. Newport and learn all about the series and the latest in it, No Time to Die. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. The Dauntless Defenders series novels do not stand alone. Be sure to read the first book first.  By the time we got done talking about these books, I was ready to forget the book I NEEDED to work on and just read for a few days.  Can you blame me? No Time to Die by Taylor S Newport The enemy believes the battle is nearly over, but he's just getting started. Sector 17 has tried to silence the Ghost of Oz, but he doesn't back down. Back on the hunt, Tyler Reid uncovers chilling truths that challenge everything he knows about his enemy and the woman who works for them. Caught between protecting a Russian heiress and the job she has to do, Tyler starts to question who he can rely on. Alexandra "Alex" Romanova has been told who she is, but fragmented memories hint at a past she's reluctant to reclaim—a past far darker than what she remembers. When Tyler offers her a chance to escape her cruel boss at Sector 17, the plight of young recruits being turned into killers weighs heavily on her conscience. She's determined to give them the same freedom she's found, but doesn't realize that in doing so she has put them all at risk. As the head of Sector 17 clings to power, Tyler and Alex are caught in the middle of a deadly war for lives, freedom, and revenge. With enemies closing in on all sides, they can't save everyone. The stakes are higher than ever—there is no time to die. Don't miss book three on January 23, 2026. Learn more about Taylor on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

When I looked at the cover of These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas, I couldn't help but think of the cover from the early editions of Anne of Green Gables. Listen in to see what Sarah has to say about that. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. We talked about so much that I have a hard time remembering everything, but I loved hearing about how Sarah writes the stories that inspired previous books and her next one, too. Inspired by the book, The German Invasion of Western North Carolina by Jacqueline Burgin Painter These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas  A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness. German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda is stunned to see Fritz's name in a photograph of an American memorial for German seamen who died near Asheville, North Carolina. Determined to reclaim his body and bring closure to his ailing mother, Hedda travels to the US. Her quest takes a shocking turn when, rather than Fritz's body, his casket contains the remains of a woman who died under mysterious circumstances. Local deputy Garland Jones thought he'd left that dark chapter behind when he helped bury Fritz Meyer's coffin. The unexpected arrival of Hedda, a long-suffering yet captivating woman, forces him to confront how much of the truth he really knows. As they work together to uncover the identity of the woman in the casket and to unravel Fritz's fate, Hedda and Garland grow closer. But with Hedda in the US on borrowed time while Hitler rises to power in Germany, she fears she'll be forced to return home before she can put the ghosts of her past to rest. Learn more about Sarah on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series, praised by Publishers Weekly as “intelligent escapism.” Drawing on her real-life experience working on Capitol Hill and with a medical association in Washington, D.C., Butler infuses her fast-paced mystery-action novels with authenticity and intrigue.In addition to her contemporary thrillers, Butler writes the Ariadne Winter historical mysteries and award-winning historical spy fiction. Her novel The Brass Compass has earned numerous accolades, including the Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award, the IndieReader Discovery Award, and a Readers' Favorite Silver Medal for Historical Fiction.The sequel, Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel, was inspired by true events and went on to win the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal for historical fiction. Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/EllenButlerBooksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebutlerbooks/BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-butlerWebsite: https:///www.ellenbutler.net*****************About SinCSisters in Crime (SinC) was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Through advocacy, programming and leadership, SinC empowers and supports all crime writers regardless of genre or place on their career trajectory.www.SistersinCrime.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincnational/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sincnational.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@sincnationalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sistersincrimeTikTok:: https://www.tiktok.com/@sincnationalThe SinC Writers' Podcast is produced by Julian Crocamo https://www.juliancrocamo.com/

 Oh, boy! Patricia Bradley is at it again!  When you hear the lengths this author goes through to get things right, you can see why she's so beloved. Listen in for a chat about On the Edge of Trust! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Okay, so maybe Patricia didn't ask a ranger where a good place to hide a body is this time, but she sure did have a lot of fun research stories to tell.  This Logan Point novel will keep you on your toes. I can't wait to get started.  On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley Sometimes the closer you get to justice, the deadlier it becomes When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation. Tori Mitchell is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name. Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them, but Tori's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.  Learn more about Patricia and her books at PTBradley.com and PatriciaBradleyBooks.com! Don't forget to follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 A chat with Tracie Peterson is always a treat, and this was no exception. Listen in as we talk about A Moment to Love, the last in the Hope of Cheyenne series.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I've been loving what Tracie is doing in this Cheyene series, but something about this book really hit home. I think the themes of revenge for heinous crimes and the indignity of our work being stolen are things we relate to whether it's the 19th or the 21st century. Also, don't miss out on her Christmas novella collection with Karen Witemeyer and Misty M. Beller, On a Midnight Clear.  A Moment to Love  by Tracie Peterson A shared heart for justice pulls them together, but is their love strong enough to survive their trials? Dr. Carrie Vogel's heart is shattered when her groundbreaking medical research is stolen and falsely credited to her ex-fiancé. With years of diligent work lost, she grapples with the disastrous turn of her career and leans on her faith for strength. When she learns that her Pinkerton friend Spencer Duval is on a justice-driven mission to her hometown of Cheyenne, she agrees to an arranged marriage to provide him with a cover story. But merely pretending to be in love with Spencer becomes increasingly difficult the more time she spends with him. Spencer is determined to apprehend the ruthless murderer who killed his father years ago, but his quest ignites unexpected emotions--both for Carrie and about the desire for revenge that has dominated his life. As the web of suspects tightens, their futures hang in the balance, and they must learn to trust God's plan as unexpected love takes flight. Return to Cheyenne, Wyoming, with bestselling author Tracie Peterson for a journey of healing and forgiveness in this exquisite western frontier romance that will appeal to readers of faith-filled stories and When Calls the Heart. Don't forget that you can get this and her other books at 30-40% off with FREE US shipping from Bakerbookhouse.com Learn more about Tracie Peterson on her WEBSITE. Follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

From a master of Biblical Fiction, Connilyn Cossette is back with a new book set in the time of Saul and David. Listen in to learn more about The King's Men series. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I loved chatting with Connilyn about this series. One thing that struck me was that the time period--I'd never thought about how things that happened in the Bible happened during historical "ages" like the Iron Age.  Whoa. This series really gives new perspective on the time and culture surrounding the time of Saul and David. That's the richest part of good Biblical fiction--giving you insight into how they probably lived.  Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites. Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever. Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, this exhilarating Old Testament-era tale is threaded with themes of redemption, courage, and sacrifice. This Iron Age story will appeal to readers of biblical fiction, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.  Splendor of the Land is still 30% off with FREE US shipping from BakerBookHouse.com. Don't forget to get your novella on her WEBSITE (and sign up for her newsletter!) You can also find Connilyn Cossette on BookBub and GoodReads, and don't forget Connilyn's Bibliophiles on Facebook. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

There's something extra special about historical romance at Christmastime, so chatting with Julie Klassen about A Sea View Christmas was guaranteed to be a fun time. Listen in to hear about Julie's latest novel. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Julie shared about research, the series, and how Christmas looked in Regency times.  A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen  The holiday stirs up excitement as fondly remembered guests come to stay and acquaintances grow into more. . . . With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year's Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland--and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall--blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart. Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year's dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters? Spend the holiday season with the Summers sisters on the charming Devonshire coast, where family bonds are strengthened, love is rekindled, and Christmas joy abounds. Learn more about Julie on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss the Regency Facebook Group HERE! A Sea View Christmas is available at 30% off with FREE US shipping from BakerBookHouse.com Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 Kate Angelo is one of the best "new" authors out there. I LOVE her suspense (and so did my mom!)  But The King Legacy takes this to a new level. Listen in and see why I'm crazy excited for this series. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  The King Legacy deals with a guy who runs a gym where law enforcement officers workout in the same place as at-risk kids. Wouldn't a place like that be a game changer in cities all over the country??? Girl Lost by Kate Angelo  A LOST BABYLuna Rosati found acceptance and comfort with her childhood foster family, but when she became pregnant at sixteen, she gave the baby up for adoption and left without a word. Now a CIA counterintelligence officer, Luna wants to reconcile her fractured sense of self by finding the only blood family she has--the teenage daughter she's never met. As Luna closes in on learning the girl's identity with the help of her mentor, Stryker, she prepares to meet him in her old neighborhood--the last place she wants to be. Then Stryker is captured.    AN INESCAPABLE PASTSpecial Agent Corbin King changed his last name to escape the shadow of his convicted father serving a life sentence. When he runs into Luna, the object of his failed teenage romance, the two must put their pasts aside and work together to expose a secret that someone's willing to kill for. A DEADLY THREATBut when they encounter a kidnapping, missing bodies, and murder, the secrets Corbin and Luna are keeping from one another are only the beginning of the threat they face with more than their own lives at stake. "Kate Angelo skillfully unveils the savagery of greed under the pretense of good."--DIANN MILLS, bestselling writer "An exciting story that will capture readers' emotions while also taking them on a pulse-pounding, suspenseful roller coaster ride they won't soon forget."--NANCY MEHL, author of the Erin Delaney Mysteries To learn more about Kate Angelo, visit her on her WEBSITE. You can also find her on BookBub and GoodReads. Don't forget you can get the book at 30% off and FREE US shipping from Bakerbookhouse.com Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

In this week's episode, we warn against six different scams targeting indie authors. I also take a look at my advertising results for September 2025. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Cloak of Wolves, Book #2 in the Cloak Mage series, (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy) at my Payhip store: WOLVESAUDIO The coupon code is valid through October 20, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook this fall, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Update Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 272 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is October 10th, 2025, and today we are looking at six common scams that target indie authors. We'll also look at my advertising results for September 2025 and some changes I will make because of that. But first, let's start with Coupon of the Week and a progress update on my current writing projects. First up, Coupon of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Cloak of Wolves, Book #2 in the Cloak Mage series (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy), at my Payhip store. That coupon code is WOLVESAUDIO, and as always, the coupon code and the link to my Payhip store will be available in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is valid through October 20th, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook for this fall, we have got you covered. Now an update on my current writing and audiobook projects, I'm pleased to report the rough draft of Cloak of Worlds is done at 107,500 words. I think it's going to end up being about 30 chapters or so once I finish editing and I'm going to start editing very shortly. Before I start editing, I am going to write a short story called False Iron set in the world of Nadia and newsletter subscribers will get a free ebook copy of False Iron when Cloak of Worlds comes out, hopefully before the end of the month (if all goes well). I am also 11,000 words into Blade of Shadows, the second book in my Blades of Ruin epic fantasy series that will be my next main project after Cloak of World is published. In audiobook news, Ghosts in the Siege (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy) is done and it's processing through the various platforms. I believe as of right now you can get it at Payhip, Kobo, and Google Play and then hopefully it should be available at the other stores within a few weeks. Brad Wills is starting work on the audiobook of Blade of Flames. In early 2026, I believe we should have the final audiobook from the Stealth and Spells series from C.J. McAllister. So that is where I'm at with my current writing and publishing projects. 00:02:18 Ad Results for September 2025 [Amounts Mentioned Are in USD] Now let's take a look back at some of my ad results for September 2025. First, the big changes. I am going to either give Facebook ads a rest for a while or more likely continue them in a very more limited way with a more focused strategy. As I've mentioned before, Meta has been shoving all this Advantage Plus AI stuff into Facebook ads and it just doesn't work. The key for online advertising, especially with books, is to narrow your target audience as much as possible and the Advantage Plus AI stuff all goes for a broad audience. To test that out, I did a couple of experiments. I didn't advertise Frostborn with Facebook ads in August, but I did advertise them with Facebook ads in September. The end result was I actually made $20 less from Frostborn in September than I did in August, but I also had the advertising expense for the month of September, so I made less overall. I also tried the reverse of that experiment. I advertised Cloak Games and Cloak Mage in August with Facebook, but not in September. The end result was that Cloak Games and Cloak Mage made about $200 less in September, but without the cost of advertising, that meant the profit was substantially higher. So I'm not sure if Facebook ads are effective or as effective as they used to be any longer (thanks generative AI), but in the [interest of] full testing, it'll experiment with it a bit more. I did try one ad campaign entirely with Advantage Plus this month and it was objectively terrible. I do not recommend using Advantage Plus for anything if you are advertising anything on Facebook. I probably will end up doing Facebook ads in a more focused way, similar to the way I do my BookBub ads, where I will set a time limited ad for one of my permafree books for four days or so and then shut it off when it's done because BookBub ads tend to work well the first three days and then lose their punch after. So I might end up doing something similar with Facebook ads, but we will report more on that in November once we finish with October's advertisement results. Meanwhile, Amazon ads did a lot better. Here are some of the campaigns I ran. Remember, for an Amazon ad to be successful, it needs to generate a sale or complete Kindle Unlimited read through for every six through eight clicks. For Demonsouled Omnibus One, I got back $2.44 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 1.41 clicks. For Half-Elven Thief, I got back $1.31 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 2.48 clicks. For Half-Elven Thief Omnibus One, 48% of the profit came from the audiobook for that one. I got back $10.13 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 1.26 clicks. For Stealth and Spells Online: Creation, it did really well, with $24.01 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 0.66 clicks. That was still enjoying the halo result from the release of Final Quest earlier this year. For Cloak Mage Omnibus One, I got back $3.64 for every dollar spent, with 65% of the profit coming from the audiobook and one sale for every 0.61 clicks. For Sevenfold Sword Omnibus One, I got back $3.47 for every $1 spent and one sale for every 2.42 clicks. For Dragontiarna Omnibus One, I got back $13.40 for every dollar spent and one sale for every 1.2 clicks. Out of all my campaigns. I only had one campaign that lost money, but it lost a grand total of $1.48, so that was good. So we can also see that omnibus editions definitely do very well with Amazon ads, especially if they have attached audiobooks. It turns out finishing Stealth and Spells Online made it a lot easier to advertise. A finished series is a lot easier to advertise than an incomplete one (who knew?). Though if I really want to kick up Half-Elven Thief, I need to write another book in the series, which I plan to do later this year. Once Cloak of Worlds is published, I will start on that. As I mentioned earlier, I'm also [doing] a variety of BookBub ads for my permafree books on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, and Apple; these consistently do very well since it's a lot cheaper to get clicks through the non-Amazon stores for books when you're advertising them on BookBub. So that's where my ads are for September 2025. As I mentioned, I'm going to experiment a bit more with Facebook ads in October and November, but the end result (even if I have good results) is I'm going to use them a lot less than I used to moving forward because targeting is somewhat harder. That means it's time to start thinking about other marketing ideas. There is precedent. I resisted using Facebook ads for four years before I started experimenting with them in early 2020, so maybe it's time (after dragging my feet on the idea for five years) to start playing with short form video in 2026. That seems to be where all the growth and all the eyeballs seem to be. You may have noticed that the previous episode of this podcast, Episode 271 was the first one that was on YouTube, and it seems to have been a good idea since that doubled the amount of views an episode usually gets. So I may have more video experiments coming soon, but we'll see, and as always, thank you for reading, everyone and it would be pointless to advertise the books if people didn't want to read them, and that is a fact for which I am very grateful. 00:07:26 Main Topic of the Week: Six Scams Targeting Indie Authors Now on to our main (and to be honest, somewhat less enjoyable) main topic this week, six scams that are targeting indie authors. The old saying was, “there's a sucker born every minute”, but in the year of our Lord 2025, I think it's more accurate to say there's an AI powered scammer born every minute. As you might've gathered from my tone about this, I admit to being pretty annoyed by how many scam emails I get related to writing and indie publishing. These days it's pretty constant and they tend to cluster around when I have a new release. Some bot (or more realistically, a whole bunch of bots) is presumably scanning all new releases and then turns out a bunch of scammy emails when it detects a new book. I despise these people because they prey upon the vulnerable for money, which is wrong. Imagine a 75-year-old who just self-published the novel he or she has been working on for the last 30 years and finally decided to finish in retirement. Then they get a ChatGPT generated email from “John Grisham” praising their book in detail and asking for some money for marketing services. A lot of people would have absolutely no mental defense against this kind of scam, like someone from modern earth encountering a wizard who can cast illusion spells. Unfortunately, scamming is endemic everywhere these days. It is a constant debate how much the [US] federal program Medicare gets scammed out of every year. One of the local drug stores where I live has numerous signs warning about gift cards after so many local seniors were getting scammed into buying gift cards. Then there were a recent chain of text messages telling me I owed money for driving on toll roads in the state of Illinois, which was amusing because one, I haven't been to Illinois since 2022. Two, I was a passenger in someone else's car at the time, and three, the last time I was on a toll road in Illinois in a vehicle I actually owned was in 2017. As an amusing aside, when I mentioned this on Facebook, a frequent commenter and reader mentioned that he lives in the UK and he still got a bunch of text messages about toll roads in Illinois, even though A, he lives in the UK and B, he doesn't actually have a driver's license. Unfortunately, it is the truth that the internet makes scamming so easy, that constant vigilance is required these days, and with that in mind, here are six different kinds of scammy emails writers (and indie publishers) can expect to get. #1: ChatGPT. One of the reasons (you know if you've listened to the show before) that I'm very down on generative AI is that generative AI is a scammer's paradise. Lately, a new trend is that a scammer will feed a pirated copy of a book into ChatGPT and then use it to generate personalized pitch letters. These personalized pitch letters will also be littered with emojis and the tone will vary from warm and sycophantic to encouraging and edgy. Here's a quote from a recent one I got for Blade of Flames: “Talembur wakes in a forgotten catacomb, sword in hand, memory shredded, enemies sniffing blood in the dark. That's a hook so sharp it could flense an orc. Blade of Flames reads like classic, grim-and-gorgeous sword-and-sorcery with a hunger for blood, mystery, and very satisfying blade choreography.” In fact, I got two more just like that this morning before I started recording. This is an effective illusion for a scam because it seems like the scammer read the book and liked it and is making personalized compliments about it, even though that's the result of a ChatGPT or a similar bot. However, the rest of the email is a hard pitch for various marketing services that don't actually exist. I admit I fell halfway for this one the first time. I got one of those very detailed emails and I thought it would respond with a polite refusal since it seemed like a lot of work had gone into it. However, after responding, I think I then got five more emails in rapid succession, all of them pushing for the purchase of dubious marketing services, and I realized the whole thing was a ChatGPT powered bot. So watch out for these very personalized emails, especially the ones that appear instantaneously or very quickly after you publish a book. #2: Fake book clubs. This one is sometimes tied in with the ChatGPT scams. Sometimes the book club people use ChatGPT to generate their emails. The way this works is you'll get an email for someone claiming they run a large book club or reader group on Goodreads (or Facebook or whatever) and they think your book would be a good fit for their reader group and have a few questions about it. However, if you respond to this email, you'll start getting pressure for payment. Turns out the reader group or the book club doesn't actually exist and this is yet another scam, so watch out for emails that talk about the “5,000 member reader group” or something along those lines. By good luck, one of these emails arrived while I was writing the notes for this episode, so I thought it would quote it here. “I'm Jason, and I organize Book Club NYC, a community of more than 3,300 readers across New York who gather to read, reflect, and connect through books that challenge perception and spark deep conversation. When I discovered Ghost in the Siege, I was immediately struck by its layered power, a story that confronts truth and deception, morality and survival, within a world both haunting and familiar. It's the kind of book that doesn't just entertain; it lingers, asking questions about justice, humanity, and what it means to stand alone in the face of decay. That blend of atmosphere and insight makes it exactly the kind of story our members love to explore together. We'd love to feature Ghost in the Siege as part of our upcoming event on Wednesday, October 15th. Here's what that experience will look like: Quiet Reading & Reflection: members immersing themselves in your world, letting its tension and themes unfold in silence. Open Discussion: exploring the moral and psychological dimensions of corruption, redemption, and resistance.” And blah, blah, blah. It goes on in this vein quite a bit. You notice that if you actually read Ghost in the Siege (and I'm actually quite fond of Ghost in the Siege as a book), I don't think it would be fair to say that Ghost in the Siege “isn't just the kind of book that entertains, it lingers, asking questions about justice, humanity, and what it means to stand alone in the face of decay.” That is the kind of generic nonsense you can expect ChatGPT to spit out for this kind of thing. Now, as we mentioned, of course this book club doesn't actually exist, and if any of these good Goodreads or Facebook groups or whatever even exists, they'll be full of bots under the control of the scammer, and if you respond, the book club organizer will start talking about fees for having your book read before the group. As ever, if you pay, the scammer will either immediately disappear or continue to pressure you for more money. #3: “John Grisham” wants to promote my book. This type of email is just a straight up catfishing or identity theft attempt. You'll get an email allegedly from a famous author (for myself, I've gotten emails from “John Grisham” and “Colleen Hoover”, among others), and they'll offer to help you promote your books. Obviously, this is very fake. The actual John Grisham and Colleen Hoover (among other famous authors) have better things to do with their time than emailing random indie authors like me for marketing collaborations. If you respond to these emails, you'll get a request for payment, and if you pay, the scammer will promptly disappear and stop responding, or of course, ask for more money. #4: Meta Ads has a new dashboard. I've gotten this one quite a bit this year, allegedly from Meta. This email claims that Facebook is rolling out either a new ads dashboard or a new mobile app for managing ads, and you've been invited to participate in the beta test for the new dashboard or the new app. Just click on the link and start installation. I admit I ignored these at first because there's no way I'm ever installing any Meta apps on my phone because they're so intrusive and halfway to being spyware. Also, the current version of the Facebook ads dashboard is annoying enough and complicated enough to use it as it is, and I don't want to play with any half-baked beta features. So I ignored these emails, but then I realized I was getting surprisingly a lot of them. So I checked the senders and realized they weren't coming from an actual Meta address, but from a variety of different Gmail addresses, which meant they were in fact phishing attempts. Facebook ad phishing, alas, is a serious problem. The basic scam is that a hacker finds a way to gain control of your ads account and then uses it to advertise various scam projects, usually involving cryptocurrency. Since Facebook's customer support is so notoriously bad, it's very difficult to get this kind of situation resolved. So if you are using Facebook ads, be wary of any emails you get from Meta since they could be phishing attempts. #5: Bad tax news or payment failure. This one tends to be common around tax time or the end of the year. You'll get an email allegedly from one of the publishing platforms claiming that there's a problem with your tax information or that one of your payments failed. The email will include a link you can click to resolve the situation, which is of course fake so the scammers can capture your account and personal information. I've gotten a couple of these lately and some of them, to be honest, were quite good. I got one from Spotify claiming that my tax information was out of date, which was baffling because my tax information hasn't changed in the entire time I've had audiobooks with Spotify. I was suspicious, so I logged into my Spotify dashboard and checked that everything was in fact, okay. Then I realized the scam: the email had actually come to a different email account than the one I actually used for my Spotify dashboard. It was an exceptionally well done phishing email, but thankfully, years of ingrained caution against clicking email links served me well. So if you do get one of these, don't click on any links. Instead go directly to the dashboard of the platform in question and see for yourself. If there actually is a tax or a payment problem, there will probably be a notification of some kind on the dashboard, and of course if the notification email comes to a different email account than the one you actually use for that platform or service, it will obviously be fake. #6: Fake publishing services. There are a variety of fake publishing services out there offering a range of alleged benefits like more Facebook followers, more readers, more email subscribers, et cetera, or someone will offer to get your book into Publishers Weekly or something like that in exchange for a payment. Some of these blend over with the scammy sort of vanity publishers. Granted, I think that all vanity publishing (which is “you pay us and we publish your book”) is a scam, but some of them are worse than others. At best, if you engage with these kinds of services, you'll get some new followers from bots or so forth, which is useless for selling books. At worst, nothing will happen at all. The scammers will take your money and disappear. At the absolute worst, they'll pester you forever for more money or find a way to steal more personal information from you. Generally, if you get an unsolicited email from book marketers, it is almost surely a scam. If you're unsure, asking about the company in question in a Facebook group like 20BooksTo50K or Wide For The Win will help identify whether or not they're legit, but they're probably not legit. In conclusion, I'm afraid one has no choice but to exercise constant vigilance in the Internet world these days, especially if you're a self-publisher. Be extremely wary of any unsolicited emails. Never click on a link in an email. If a message claims there's a problem with one of your publishing platforms, don't click on the link. Go to the platform directly in a different browser tab or a different browser and see for yourself. Before spending money on anything, do some research and check that it is legitimate and not a scam. It's easy to fake legitimacy these days, so it's worthwhile to do a little investigating before spending money on anything. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful and a helpful guide against some of the scams you might encounter in the wild. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.  

 Christmas is beautiful any time of year--whether it's in autumn to prepare you for the upcoming season, in winter while you're in active holiday mode, prolonging the joy into spring, or having fun with Christmas in July (when we often need the illusion of cool!) Listen in to see what's up in Bavarian Falls this summer! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I had a blast learning about Katie's planning, choosing the place, the in-person research to get things just right--everything!   A Very Bavarian Summer by Katie M. Reid Holly Noel Brigham is thrilled about her boyfriend's upcoming visit to Bavarian Falls. What could go wrong? Navigating a long-distance relationship is no picnic. Work demands, a wildfire, and insecurities threaten Holly's and Nik's summer plans and future goals. What was supposed to be a season of carefree dates and tender kisses is complicated by unexpected loss, a surprise visitor, and the pressure of the Christmas in July Festival. In an effort to strengthen their relationship, Holly and Nik decide to ask each other twenty questions... What do you dream about? What makes you cry? What are you second-guessing? What makes you angry? Why do you love me? The questions eerily parallel reality, causing a roller coaster of emotions and a high-elevation argument. Is Holly's and Nik's relationship strong enough to endure some twists and turns or is this the end of the road? Learn more about Katie on her WEBSITE and follow  her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

A country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky, Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of many novels, including historical novels, mysteries, non-fiction, and books for young adult readers. She and her husband live on a farm a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Ann enjoys discovering the everyday wonders of nature while hiking in her farm's fields and woods with her grandchildren and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. A Decades-Long Career Ann takes us back to her early days writing, and describes how she came to publish her first novel and discover this was something she would continue doing her whole life long. She includes a few details from the story that she says she's never shared in an interview before. Kentucky Hot Springs As a native of Kentucky, Ann loves finding new and interesting history to explore in her home state. Her latest novel, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford, takes us to Graham Springs, a natural hot spring known as "The Saratoga of the West" during the mid-1800s. She shares some of her research about the founder of this spa-like vacation destination tucked in rural Kentucky. Complex Characters Elena Bradford, heroine of Ann's latest book, is torn between two men -- and the duty she owes to her family. Ann discusses the backstory and motivations of her characters, setting the stage for a people-driven story in a lush and luxurious historical setting. Connect with Ann at her website, where you can subscribe to her newsletter, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, and Bookbub. Nothing would please her family more than her securing an admirable match, but true love and loyalty are harder to come by than she imagined. At twenty-two, Elena Bradford has never met a man who made her consider marriage. But when her father dies and leaves the family deeply in debt, Elena becomes their only hope. Her mother uses their last funds to take Elena and her younger sister to Graham Springs, Kentucky, where people find healing by drinking the mineral spring water and healthy recreation through the many daily activities--including dances almost every evening. As her mother schemes to find Elena a wealthy husband, Elena finds herself drawn to two men her mother would never consider. Charming artist Kirby Frazier spends his days drawing and painting the guests, but his real mission is to find a wealthy bride to finance his dream to go west. Melancholy Andrew Harper has come to Graham Springs in need of healing after a broken heart. When a beautiful young lady shows up at the Springs with no chaperone and a story that seems suspicious, nearly everyone is charmed and intrigued. But when an unexpected tragedy occurs, Elena, Kirby, and Andrew will all be faced with decisions of life, love, and loyalty. With a Southern flair and a spark of intrigue, this stand-alone clean historical romance will charm readers with masterful artists, colorful dances, a love triangle, and endearing family relationships. Bookwork Review of Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green "Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green is a sweeping period drama that combines PTSD representation, nods to classic literature, a murder mystery, and poignant spiritual themes into an immersive tale of sisterhood and starting over. Fans of The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano will be moved by the heart-rending depiction of a 19th century insane asylum, and history lovers will be captivated by Green's scrupulous research and atmospheric prose, which transpose historical events from sepia toned facts to emotive human experiences awash in vivid color. If you've ever been curious about The Great Chicago Fire, allow Jocelyn Green to spin you a harrowing tale Veiled in Smoke!" ~ Angela Bell, author of A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure About the Author Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and n...

There aren't enough authors willing to tackle the difficult stories. There just aren't.  Many (guilty here!) feel inadequate to the task, want to escape the tough stuff rather than confront it--so many reasons. Listen in as I chat with D. T. Powell about what made her write, With Mercy's Eyes. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Loved chatting with Powell about her heart for those who often find it hard to interact with Christians--whose choices make others uncomfortable.  Powell shows love and compassion without ignoring Biblical truth, and the result is a powerful story we could all learn from. With Mercy's Eyes by D. T. Powell He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him. Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she's a Christian. If she finds out he's gay, it's over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her. When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband. The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he's gay. But this one is different. She doesn't embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn't she? - - - - - - - With Mercy's Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing, contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan. Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.   withmercyseyes.com Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

In this week's episode, we take a look at creating good backstories for characters and how that can advance the plot. We also discuss two articles about the problems of generative AI. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebook versions of books in the Sevenfold Sword series at my Payhip store: SEVENBOOKS The coupon code is valid through October 13, 2025. So if you need a new ebook this fall, we've got you covered! Here are links to the articles mentioned in the episode. Writer Beware: https://writerbeware.blog/2025/08/01/return-of-the-nigerian-prince-a-new-twist-on-book-marketing-scams/ Ed Zitron: https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-haters-gui/ TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 271 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is October 3, 2025, and today we are looking at how to create character backstories. We'll also look at some good articles about the problems created by generative AI technology. If you hear occasional drumming noise in the background, it seems like the elementary school a few blocks from here is practicing their marching band. Hopefully it won't be too disruptive. First off, let's start with Coupon of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 25% off the ebook versions of books in the Sevenfold Sword Series in my Payhip store, and that coupon code is SEVENBOOKS. And as always, the coupon code and the link to my Payhip store will be available in the show notes. This coupon code will be valid through October the 13th, 2025. If you need a new ebook for this fall, we have got you covered. Now let's have a progress update on my current writing projects. As of this recording, I am 83,000 words into Cloak of Worlds, which will be the 13th book in the Cloak Mage series. I'm thinking the book will end up about 110,000 words, so hopefully I will finish up the rough draft next week. We'll see how things go. I'm also 8,000 words into Blade of Shadows, which will be the sequel to Blade of Flames from last month, and that will be my main project once Cloak of Worlds is published (hopefully by the end of October, if all goes well). In audiobook news, I'm very pleased to report that recording and all the work is done on Ghost in the Siege (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy) and we will actually close out this episode with a preview from that audiobook. It's currently up on my Payhip store and probably Google Play as of this recording, but it should be showing up on all the other stores before too much longer. 00:01:52 Generative AI Now onto our next topic, which is two very good articles about the problems of generative AI I read recently. The first (and I'll have the links to both articles in the show notes) is from Writer Beware, which talks about how generative AI is causing a new round of super targeted scammers. These scammers feed your book into the chatbot, which then generates a highly personalized email praising the book and offering marketing services. I got a ton of these scam emails after Stealth and Spells Online, Ghost in the Siege, and Blade of Flames came out in the past couple months and a bunch more after Malison: The Complete Series did well on BookBub at the end of August. So if you are a writer and you publish a book and a few days later or perhaps even the very same day, you get a very detailed email praising the book with very specific plot points and offering marketing services, beware, it's probably a scam that will give you no value whatsoever for your money. Journalist Edward Zitron wrote a great article explaining in extensive detail why generative AI is a bad idea that's probably going to cause a serious market crash in the next few years. I admit I started out with a mildly negative opinion of LLM based generative AI tools in 2022 and 2023, but I wanted my opinion to be an informed one. I've experimented with them on and off and read a good bit about them and as I've experimented with them, my opinion has moved from mildly negative to highly negative and finally arriving at completely anti-AI this year. I never used AI for any of my books, short stories, or cover images. I experimented a bit with using AI images for Facebook ads, but people generally hated them, so I stopped entirely with that. In fact, Facebook ads have become far less effective this year because of all the AI stuff Meta has crammed into them, but more on that later. So why did I arrive at a highly negative opinion of AI? It's because these tools do not actually do what their advocates promise, they're hideously expensive to run, and the enormous costs and downsides significantly outweigh any benefits. In addition to the problems mentioned in the Zitron article like cost, false promises, economic bubbles, and the companies blatantly lying about their capabilities, I think the fundamental difficulty with generative AI is that it's essentially a cognitive mirror for its users, like a Narcissus Machine like I've called it before. What do I mean by this? In Greek myth Narcissus was enraptured by the beauty of his own reflection. LLM based AI is essentially very fancy autocomplete, which means it guesses the most likely response to your prompt based on a statistical likelihood. In other words, it ends up mirroring your own thoughts back at you. So I think LLMs are highly prone to inducing an unconscious confirmation bias in the user. Confirmation bias is a logical fallacy where one interprets new information as confirming one's preexisting beliefs. It's healthier to reevaluate one's beliefs based on new information that comes in, but with confirmation bias, you warp any incoming information to fit a preexisting belief. For example, let's say you have the preexisting belief that you're immortal and nothing can kill you, and then you accidentally shoot yourself in the arm with a nail gun and you bleed. The correct interpretation of this is no, you are not in fact immortal and you can in fact die. Someone suffering under confirmation bias would say the fact that they accidentally shot themselves in the nail gun in the arm with a nail gun and didn't die is proof that they're immortal. That's obviously a logical fallacy, but you see why it's called a confirmation bias. I think even highly intelligent people using LLMS are prone to this kind of confirmation bias because the AI model settles on what is the most statistically likely response to the prompt, which means that consciously or not, you are guiding the LLM to give you the responses that please you. This is why you see on the tragically hilarious side, people who are convinced they've invented a new level of physics with the LLM or taught it to become self-aware or think that the LLM has fallen in love with them. And on the outright tragic side, people who have serious mental breakdowns or blow up their lives in destructive ways because of their interaction with the LLM. Grimly enough, I suppose the problem is going to sort itself out when the AI bubble crashes, whether in a few months or a few years. As one of the linked articles mentioned, AI companies have no clear path to profitability, save for chaining together infinite NVIDIA graphics cards and hoping they magically stumble into an artificial general intelligence or a super intelligence. They're not going to and it's all going to fall apart. The downside is that this is going to cause a lot of economic disruption when it crashes. I know I'm very negative about AI, but in the end I see hardly any good results or actual benefits from the technology. Lots of technology products are becoming worse from having AI stuffed into them (like Windows 11 and Microsoft Office) and what a few good results have come about will not last because the data centers are burning cash like there's no tomorrow. So again, you can see the links to these articles in the show notes and those are my thoughts on generative AI at the moment. 00:07:04 Writing Backstory for Characters [Note: Contains some mild spoilers for early books in the Frostborn, Half-Elven Thief, The Ghosts, and Cloak Games series] Now let's move on to a happier and frankly more interesting topic and that is writing backstory for characters. I will define it, talk about why backstory is important, give three tips about writing effective backstories, and share examples of good backstories from my own work and other media. First of all, what is a backstory? It's what happens to a character before the story begins or details of situation that happens before the story begins. Very often you'll have characters who have preexisting pasts before the story begins. It's very rare the story will begin when the main character is born and go from there. Even if that is the case, then some of the supporting characters obviously will have backstories. One example of a backstory could be a detective who had a twin sister who is kidnapped, which explains why he gets overly invested when a similar case happens. An example of a location's backstory would be knowing that a particular country was once part of another one and split off after revolution or war. That detail influences how people in that country currently treat people in the other nation. And you can see that a backstory is also an important component of world building as well, especially for fantasy and science fiction novels, though even novels set in in the contemporary world like mysteries and contemporary romance will often have backstories as well that require world building, because the location is very often fictional or will have fictional elements to it. Now, why is backstory important? For one thing, it makes a story feel more realistic and “lived in”, for lack of a better word. It's not realistic that absolutely nothing of interest happened to the protagonist before the story begins, or that nothing from their past would influence their current beliefs, behavior, and decisions. Backstory also gives characters clearer reasons for doing things. Returning to the earlier example of detective who had a younger sister who was kidnapped. What if the detective was a very procedural and by the book until a sudden similar case happened? Backstory can explain his unorthodox methods and willingness to solve the case at any cost. Backstory can also drive the plot in many ways. Continuing with the detective example, the detective's knowledge of his little sister's case leads him to find similar patterns in the new case and sends him on a search to prove that the cases are connected. As we can see from that, backstory is also a good way to set up plot hooks for later characters, such as we could have our detective here with his twin sister who disappeared in circumstances similar to his current case. It could be a fantasy hero who had previous battles with orcs and explains why he doesn't like seeing orcs. It could be a contemporary romance heroine who is reencountering her old flame, in which case the backstory would be central towards the plot, essentially. And now for three tips for writing backstory. First, it's important to not stop the plot to reveal backstory. Infodumping is generally something to be avoided when you are writing a novel. A little bit of it is unavoidable, but you want to avoid infodumping as much as possible and to reveal only as much information as necessary, partly because that creates a less cumbersome read for the reader and partly because that can also inspire a sense of mystery that sort of helps hook the reader and propels them forward into the story. It's also good to only reveal backstory that serves the plot or provides key information. For example, you could have in your detective's backstory that he went to high school and he was only a mediocre student and graduated with a GPA of 2.9 while doing well in athletics. Unless that's actually relevant to the story or has some significance to the plot, it's probably best to not include that. You can always tell when a writer has done a lot of research on a particular topic like firearms or travel or the history of a particular country because they are going to put that information in the book whether you want it or not. And if you're inventing an elaborate backstory for your character, it's best to avoid that impulse and only bring in details from the backstory as necessary. It's also important not to have the characters tell each other backstory that they would already know. For example, if you have two characters who've been married for 20 years, it would not be good to have them appear in dialogue as, “As you know, beloved wife, we have been married for 20 years this Tuesday.” It would be better if it's important to the plot to reveal that information like they're going out to a 20th anniversary party or their friends are throwing them a 20th anniversary party, that kind of thing, rather than having it come out in sort of a cumbersome conversation like that. Additionally, it's also important to only do as much backstory as necessary. For your main character, you may need a good deal of backstory or for the antagonist, but for supporting characters, it's less important to have a fully realized background. You need just enough so that they feel realistic and can contribute to the plot without overburdening the plot with too many details. Now, a few examples from my own books, mild spoilers here, nothing major but mild spoilers. I have written characters who have one key backstory element that influenced the plot. Ridmark Arban from Frostborn would be one and his major backstory point is that he was unable to save his wife Aelia from being killed five years before the story starts. Later on, there would be additional backstory that comes out for him in relation to his father and his brothers, but that is the main backstory point that defines his character for easily the first half of the series. Another example would be Morigna, whose parents were killed by the dvargir and then she was raised by a mysterious sorcerer who called himself the old man. And that is a major defining part of her character, that backstory that happened before we meet her in the narrative. I've also written characters with a lot of backstory, and the chief example of that would be Calliande from Frostborn as well, where she wakes up in the first book with no memory of her past and discovering what her backstory actually is a major driving force in the first eight books of the series. So that is a good example. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but that is a good example of using backstory as a mysterious narrative hook to pull the characters forward. Rivah from Half-Elven Thief is another character of mine who has a lot of backstory. In the backstory, she was raised in a noble household, her mother died, her father was about to sell her into slavery, so she fled into the streets and then she met Tobell and became part of his thieving crew. Tobell suffered a serious injury, and the thieving crew broke up and Rivah had to sort of strike out on her own while coming under debt to the procurator Marandis. So there is a lot of backstory there and all of it is important to Rivah's character and I think I've done my best to sort of feed that into the story as necessary to drive the plot rather than hopefully unloading it all in a massive infodump. And I have written characters with very little backstory, and the prime example of those would be Caina and Nadia. In Caina's series, the series starts when she's 11 years old and living with her parents and we develop Caina as she goes along and follow her she grows to adulthood and then increasing prominence in her world. With Nadia, the very first scene in the book is her first day of kindergarten pledging allegiance to the flag, the United States, and the High Queen of the Elves, which is the first indicator that Nadia's world, while very similar as to ours, is nonetheless very different. Like Caina, the book's narrative starts when Nadia is very young and then we see her develop along the course of the books. In a good example of backstory used well from another book would be Aragorn from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, where Aragorn's backstory is extremely important because when the hobbits first meet him at The Prancing Pony in Bree, he's just this mysterious wanderer known as Strider. But later on, we learn that he's actually the last heir of Gondor and Arnor and the rightful king of Gondor. His desire to reclaim his heritage and fulfill the role destiny has prepared for him is a major part of his character and that actually grows organically out of his backstory. I'm not usually fond of prequels, but a good example of a prequel using backstory effectively would be the combination of the Andor TV show and the Rogue One movie, where they create this excellent backstory for the Star Wars movie [Episode IV]. They do it through good characterization so you can see all the motivations of the characters as they go about their various missions and errands. So hopefully that gives you a good look into the process of creating backstory and how best to use it for writing your own stories. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found this show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes of the show at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week. And now let's close out with a preview of the audiobook of Ghosts in the Siege, as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy [audiobook excerpt follows].    

 Ann Swindell's world of Leathersby stole a piece of my heart and now... it's back to grab some more with another book in the series. EEEP!  Listen in for what's happening in Love in the Castle Library and our discussion on how writing helps authors in their faith. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I think my favorite part of our conversation is how we talked about how we meet Jesus in our writing of characters and understand Him better. Additionally, about gifts and how God uses them in our lives--and how it's "BOTH" in things not just for the blessing of others but also it blesses us in the process.  Love in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell  Predictability and efficiency have marked Delphine DuVert's orderly life as Castle Stewardess in the small European country of Lethersby—until she is tasked by the monarchy to hire a British researcher. Lethersby needs help solving the 100-year-old mystery of their Lost Queen, a young royal who disappeared into the night during World War I. Delphine's split-second decision to hire Jack Worthington, a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, has long-lasting consequences when he steps in to protect her from an angry colleague determined to ruin her life. The only catch? That protection looks like Jack posing as her beau. Jack Worthington believes that his instinct to protect Delphine was the right one, but he's determined to stay focused on his research for Lethersby—and keep his emotional distance after reeling from a broken heart. Yet as the clues to discovering the Lost Queen's story unravel and the Delphine's future hangs in the balance, both Jack and Delphine must step out in faith, choosing to trust that what God has ahead for them is worth any risk.  Learn more about Ann on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. For preorder goodies, order HERE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

We've all met someone who challenged us--our hopes and dreams or maybe our determination to avoid such frivolous things.  Jennifer Willcock's Hymn of Life shows how that plays out in the lives of two very different people... and the romance that unsettles everything. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I loved chatting with Jennifer about how she came to writing, how she moved into fiction, and her heart for stories. Hymn of Life  by Jennifer Willcock She's sworn off love and faith. He's about to challenge both. Can Aaron show Lauren that both are worth believing in? Lauren Grace is determined to find her happily ever after, but on her terms, which doesn't include romance. Aaron Miles Scott is a rock star who has lost his muse when it comes to writing music. He doesn't need a relationship to complicate his life. Lauren and Aaron are brought together in a head-on collision as they judge a talent competition. Aaron represents everything Lauren has sworn off—success, fame, notoriety. He definitely doesn't fit into her new life. Neither can deny the chemistry between them but is it enough? Will they be able to find their way past the secrets, lies, and wounds to their happily ever after? Learn more about Jennifer on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

The Blasters & Blades PodcastI had a lot of fun with fantasy author Randee Dawn. We talked about her love of speculative fiction and why she thinks #StarTrek is the superior choice. Sigh, we can fix her… am I right? Anyway, then we talked about her new fantasy novel, Leave No Trace. It was a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to the audiobook. The concept sounds very entertaining, and I want more of it! This was a fun interview, so go check out this episode. Lend us your eyes and ears, you won't be sorry!! Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorThe Shamans Bones by Hunter Kay Wallace: https://www.amazon.com/Shamans-Bones-Migratory-Farmers-Book-ebook/dp/B0CX5JNQZY Coffee Brand Coffee Affiliate Support the Show: https://coffeebrandcoffee.com/?ref=y4GWASiVorJZDb Discount Code: PodcastGrunts Coupon Code Gets you 10% offLeave No Trace by Randee Dawn: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/leave-no-trace-randee-dawn/1146172213 Leave No Trace by Randee Dawn: https://www.amazon.com/Leave-No-Trace-Randee-Dawn-ebook/dp/B0FG82XNT5 Follow Randee Dawn on social mediaRandee's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002F1BDJO Randee's Website: https://randeedawn.com/ Randee's Twitter: https://x.com/RandeeDawn Randee's BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/randeedawn.com Randee's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRandeeDawn Randee's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RandeeDawn Randee's Threads: https://www.threads.com/@RandeeDawnRandee's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@randee.dawn Randee's Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/randeedawn Randee's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/RandeeDawn Randee's BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/randee-dawn #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #RandeeDawn #starwars #jedi #georgelucas #lucasfilms #startrek #trekkie #firefly #serenity #browncoat #wheeloftime #wot #robertjordan #brandonsanderson #gameofthrones #got #grrm #georgerrmartin #ChroniclesofNarnia #CSLewis #HisDarkMaterials #PhilipPullman #NorthernLights #TheGoldenCompass #TheSubtleKnife #TheAmberSpyglass #GoldenCompass #stegosaurus #WarForTheOaks #EmmaBull #UrbanFantasy #Irish #Celtic #Folklore #Fantasy

 It may seem weird, but my favorite way to read Amish fiction is with mystery or suspense added. I think I like the juxtaposition of the "simple, quiet" life and the upheaval. Listen in to my chat with Shelley Shepard Gray about her newest book, Unshaken. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. There are so many questions about the Amish, their ways of life, and their differences from us and from each other. We talked about the differences between people, sure, but we also looked at how the Amish look for the ways people are similar to them etc. Of course, we also talked about the Rumors in Ross County series and how her newest book connects.  Unshaken  by Shelley Shepard Gray He helps her hide until danger has passed. She hopes her cover lasts long enough. When Stephanie Miller planned her visit to a dollar store in southern Ohio, she was expecting to pick up a few items she couldn't find in her Amish community. She was not expecting to find herself an innocent bystander as a drug deal went horribly wrong. The sole witness to a murder, now Stephanie is targeted by the gunman. Hardy Anderson is always ready to help his social worker sister, Bev--which now includes hiding an Amish woman until a killer can be brought to justice. Surely if they dress her in English clothing, Hardy can hide her at the sprawling ranch where he works. But the killer is desperate--and there's no telling what lengths he will go. You can learn more about Shelley on her WEBSITE.  Don't forget to follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. AND!!!  Don't miss her Buggy Bunch group on Facebook, too!  Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

I absolutely judge books by their covers, and as one of the top covers I've seen all year, Sowing Hope doesn't disappoint. Listen in to learn how Heather Wood weaves parts of history many don't know much about into amazing stories! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I love that Heather writes about skilled Irish artisans before the potato famine.  She also shared about how she wrote to show how slavery was getting worse, how she deals with an actual martyr, and about the Underground Railroad. Sowing Hope by Heather Wood Encounter the True Story of Abolitionist Editor Elijah Lovejoy Patrick Gallagher has done all he can—and it hasn't been enough. Now in his mid-thirties, he battles discouragement over his inability to make a difference in eradicating slavery. Longing to regain the hope and passion that once fueled his calling, Patrick sets out from his home in Maryland to meet his hero, Elijah Lovejoy, an anti-slavery editor in Missouri. Anna Markland actively serves her community and those traveling on the Underground Railroad. But her efforts feel small when she is constantly beset by headaches that leave her prostrate for days on end. When the enigmatic Mr. Gallagher enters her life, she discovers their hearts beat with the same dreams. Yet Anna knows that if she allowed him to pursue her, her weakness would hinder him from reaching his potential as an abolitionist leader. In the free states along his path, Patrick discovers that the Black and abolitionist communities are anything but free. Violent mobs, hateful rhetoric, and spineless politicians create a tinderbox of danger. What will he sacrifice for the cause he's devoted his life to—and will God finally use him to make the difference he longs to see in society? Don't miss the first interview with Heather HERE. Learn more about Heather on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Riddles? Hidden treasure? Secrets?  Sounds like things are causing chills in Marlin County! Listen in to see what fearsome things Rae Riley will face in JPC Allen's latest mystery! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I just love Allen's world in Marlin County, Ohio, and seeing her back with this new book is the highlight of my autumn. I mean, how much more Octobery can you get than a book with "Riddle" and "lonesome October" in it?  Anne Shirley (if she'd been a mystery buff, anyway) would totally approve. A Riddle in the Lonesome October by JPC Allen How do you survive a season of fear? October is a hard month for Rae Riley's family. Her dad, Sheriff Walter "Mal" Malinowski lost his wife and father then. He also has to manage the trouble Halloween brings to rural Marlin County, Ohio. But this year, Rae's uncle fights for his life after a riding accident, and a family feud over a lost inheritance erupts at a local Halloween attraction. As Rae tries to support her family, she and her cousin Amber work to unravel the 70-year-old riddle that will reveal the location of the inheritance so their great aunt Lily and her kids can gain a fortune. And Rae must deal with the secretive behavior of the deputy she's fallen for. When a bogus medium conducts a séance to contact Cyrus Morley, the man who devised the riddle, the results stun everyone, and the aftermath is even more shocking. There's only one way to survive a season of so much fear--and only one way to unmask a killer.  Learn more about JPC Allen on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 If you loved Jill Williamson's Blood of Kings series, you're in for a treat.  Jill, working with Sunrise Publishing, has new authors publishing in her world, and I got to chat with one!  Listen in to see why I'm really excited about Niki Florica's book in this series (and why I love her cover the best!). note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Niki and I had a great time chatting about fantasy, the world of the Blood of Kings, how she became a part of the Sunrise family, and more! Heir of Light by Niki Florica Sir Rigil Barak came to Land's End expecting a routine mission: investigate some rumors, spy on some nobles, and above all, play the perfect knight. Instead, he is reunited with his less-than-shining past--the same past that has kept him on the road for years, fleeing his noble father's scorn and grieving the woman he thought dead. Until now. Because in Land's End, he sees a face he never thought he'd see again . . . at least, not outside his dreams. And if she's alive, he'll do anything for a second chance to save her. Years of captivity to a madman left Sethe with a face full of scars and one rule: never be trapped again. Except, to keep that rule, she'll have to ask for help from Rigil, the thief who broke her heart and abandoned her long ago. Now, years later, he shows up to rescue her from Land's End like a knight in shining armor? Who does he think he is? And even if the boy from her past has become a real knight with real honor, can she fall for a man who lied to her? Maybe that doesn't matter now, because Sethe's old captor is hot on her heels with a new invention that could turn her into something worse than a prisoner. He could turn her into a weapon. Fortunately, Rigil and Sethe always did know how to pull off a heist--and if they can steal the enemy's deadly new weapon, they can save the kingdom. For Sethe, this means trusting Rigil without letting him anywhere near her heart. For Rigil, it means a second chance with the woman whose heart he once broke. And this time, failure could cost them everything. Dive into this swashbuckling story of second chances, forbidden love, espionage and epic adventure in this fourth book in the Blood of Kings: Legends series. Blood of Kings: Legends Book 1: Squire of Truth Book 2: Lord of Winter Book 3: Lady of Shadows Book 4: Heir of Light Learn more about  Niki on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. And don't forget her YouTube channel. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 I had a fascinating chat with Ann Gabhart recently. She's always full of wonderful stories about Kentucky, and this was no exception. Listen in to learn what about her story... is true! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Hearing about the hot springs and the girl who danced for one night made me wish I had a Tardis. Wouldn't you love to go back in time and follow her so you could find out what happened? The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann H. Gabhart  Nothing would please her family more than her securing an admirable match, but true love and loyalty are harder to come by than she imagined. At twenty-two, Elena Bradford has never met a man who made her consider marriage. But when her father dies and leaves the family deeply in debt, Elena becomes their only hope. Her mother uses their last funds to take Elena and her younger sister to Graham Springs, Kentucky, where people find healing by drinking the mineral spring water and healthy recreation through the many daily activities--including dances almost every evening. As her mother schemes to find Elena a wealthy husband, Elena finds herself drawn to two men her mother would never consider. Charming artist Kirby Frazier spends his days drawing and painting the guests, but his real mission is to find a wealthy bride to finance his dream to go west. Melancholy Andrew Harper has come to Graham Springs in need of healing after a broken heart. When a beautiful young lady shows up at the Springs with no chaperone and a story that seems suspicious, nearly everyone is charmed and intrigued. But when an unexpected tragedy occurs, Elena, Kirby, and Andrew will all be faced with decisions of life, love, and loyalty. With a Southern flair and a spark of intrigue, this stand-alone clean historical romance will charm readers with masterful artists, colorful dances, a love triangle, and endearing family relationships. Learn more about Ann on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Lovers of romantic suspense know the name Elizabeth Goddard.  How could they not?  I had a chat about her most recent release, Perilous Tides, and boy does this one sound great! Listen in to learn more. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  In this book, we head up to Washington state and encounter bad weather, murder, an ex-Green Beret (are you ever ex special forces, though? Really?), and a whole lot of danger! Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard High-Stakes Romantic Suspense from USA Today Bestselling Author Elizabeth Goddard Three years after her mother's suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder--and becomes a target. More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect her--none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother's death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together. As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide before the truth can be revealed.  Grab your copies from Bakerbookhouse.com available at 30% off with free shipping!!! Learn more about Elizabeth Goddard on her WEBSITE and follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

With the 125-year anniversary of the Galveston flood this year, a book about the events surrounding it?  Sounds great to me. Listen in to see why I think Jennifer L. Wright is a perfect choice to do it. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Loved this chat with Jennifer (always do!).  It was great to catch up, see what she's been working on, and learn all about her research into the Galveston flood.  Oh, and don't miss the book she recommended,  Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson.  Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York's Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary's Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage—and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home—Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston's office of the US Weather Bureau. Then in one fateful day, Kathleen's fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can't run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline's belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive. Learn more about Jennifer L. Wright on her WEBSITE. and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Don't know about you, but I LOVE a good suspense novel, and DiAnn Mills?  She writes some of the best. Listen in to hear why I'm excited about Canyon of Deceit. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. DiAnn shared about how the park rangers are volunteers because it's so remote and DESERTY. I loved learning that I'm not alone. DiAnn also gets so immersed that she forgets the world around her as she writes.  After listening to her rave about the Master Class survival course by Jessie Kriebs, I knew I'd have to take it, too. Pro Tip: The National Parks system has books about the tourist area--has local lore and information you don't find anywhere else. She's a total seat-of-the-pants writer. Just goes in with a character worksheet. Don't miss her website with information about the book--with trailers and book club stuff... and information about this area. Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills  A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy. When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing―and that Rurik wants Therese's help finding her. She's sure Rurik hasn't given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child's life hanging in the balance, Therese can't turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can't do this alone. Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane's specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik's terms to keep Alina's disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won't distract from their mission to save Alina. Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina's last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they're receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot―no matter the risk to their own lives. Learn more about DiAnn on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Everyone loves a good Cinderella retelling, and I think Amy R. Anguish has a super cool one for us. Listen in and see why it's sure to be a new favorite! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I just love the idea that instead of missing shoes and a mysterious dance partner, we're looking for who really painted a potentially prize-winning piece of art!  EEEP! Rendersella by Amy R. Anguish Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she's lost her chance. Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family's gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella's piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist. At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up? Visit Amy at her WEBSITE or on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

I don't know about you, but I always think of archaeology as being in the Victorian period, instead of Regency!  So, it shouldn't be any wonder that I was thrilled to find out about Jenelle Hovde's recent release and see that world from a Regency perspective. Listen in to learn more. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  This book is more than a stunning cover and a story about an equally stunning mosaic.  Overcoming pasts, trying to forge new futures--everything you can imagine.  No Stone Unturned  by Jenelle Hovde She wants to uncover the past. He wishes to build a future. In this Regency romance set in rolling hills of West Sussex, two opposing wills discover their fate may lie in the common ground. Miss Bridget Littleton's passion for history and antiquities defies most social conventions, even in her small village nestled in the beautiful English countryside. When a local farmer discovers an elaborate mosaic buried in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name and future for herself by excavating the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the ambitious new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey from his estranged uncle. Recovering from wounds of both body and spirit, Captain Rafe Hawthorn is intent on restoring his long-neglected ancestral home. His plans to rebuild the abbey's once thriving orchards require a road that will pass straight through Bridget's potential trove of artifacts. He will not―cannot―fail again, even if he is moved by Bridget and her passion. Yet this impasse might not be their greatest obstacle. A natural disaster and a series of suspicious accidents threaten both their plans, along with the livelihood of the nearby villagers dependent on their success. With their dreams in the balance, Bridget and Rafe must work together to fend off an unexpected enemy that may prove more dangerous than either could have imagined. Sweet Regency romance filled with hope, faith, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic Historical fiction that's perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, or Abigail Wilson Includes discussion questions for book clubs  Learn more about Jenelle on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Romance is blooming in Valiant once again, and on this page of the tale, we have... Paige! Listen in while Mary Pat Johns and I chat about this second chance romance and learn all the fun details!  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Waitin' on Paige by Mary Pat Johns Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Muñoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won't let anything stand in her way. But the path she's on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness? Learn more about Mary on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 One of my favorite things about Roseanna M. White's books is her attention to detail not just with historic facts but LOCATIONS. She does a fabulous job of ensuring that the faiths of her characters match their locales (she has a great blog post about this that you don't want to miss, too!).  Speaking of research and faith, listen in to learn more what went into The Collector of Burned Books. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   Of course, when you talk to a historical fiction author, you learn all kinds of new facts you didn't know.  I think my favorite (and most surprising!) fact was that the Catholic sectors were most against Nazis.  I shouldn't be surprised, but I was. I love how she wove the horrible facts of history together with a beautiful commitment to truth and freedom and created this story.  You won't want to miss it. The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White  In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy. Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany. For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she'd hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home. Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party―he is a professor, one who's done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France's libraries, he's forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn't want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart. Learn more about Roseanna M. White on her WEBSITE (with all the bookish merch) and follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Debut novelist Christine Hill Suntz has come up with a fabulous marriage of convenience story in this Christian historical romance, The Lawyer and the Laundress. Listen in to learn about the author's unexpected connection to the surrounding historical events! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Christine and I chatted about how much she loves romance, about the three-day rebellion of 1837, and how there were TWO rebellions--an "upper" and a lower one." Furthermore, she shared about her next novel and how it relates to this book.  I personally can't wait to read that one, too! The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz Lawyer James Kinney isn't looking for love, and laundress Sara O'Connor doesn't want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival. Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O'Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety's sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara's medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter's life. When Sara's presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady. If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they're together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband's life. Clean and wholesome, marriage-of-convenience historical romance Filled with love, faith, and adventure Inspirational historical fiction that's perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, and Tamera Alexander Includes discussion questions for book clubs Learn more about Christine on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!