Podcasts about digest books

Author Gloria Chao guides us through her unique journey from dentistry to writing! We also chat about her upcoming adult debut, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club. Listen to our conversation for fun insights on puzzles, coming-of-age YA stories, and learning there's no “right” way to write.Gloria ChaoWebsite: https://gloriachao.wordpress.com/Social: @gloriacchaoGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BNEW! Writing Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Children's author-illustrator Niña Mata joins the Thriving Writers Podcast to chat about her publishing journey—from illustrating educational materials, working with Olympian athletes, to finally writing her own stories! Listen to hear Niña share some tips on what illustrators gravitate towards in manuscripts and ways writers can make the collaborative process smoother. Plus, get her thoughts on the value of storytelling and what she hopes readers take away from her work.Niña MataWebsite: https://www.ninamata.com/Social: @ninamataartGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BNEW! Writing Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

In this Allison Larkin interview, we discuss writing Home of the American Circus and the creative writing routines that have transformed her life with ADHD.This week, I'm talking with my friend and bestselling author Allison Larkin about her latest novel, Home of the American Circus. But this conversation goes far beyond crafting this sprawling family drama. Allison is pulling back the curtain on how she writes such emotionally resonant stories while navigating ADHD and the beautiful writing habits she's uncovered by simply embracing her creative brain.Home of the American Circus is set in Somers, NY—the birthplace of the American circus and the author's hometown. Freya must return home after a financial emergency in this beautiful family drama. The house she's returned to is crumbling, and the relationships are even more so. But when she discovers her 15-year-old niece secretly living there, she unravels her past and reimagines what healing might look like.In this warm conversation, Allison and I discuss:

Thrilled to be joined by author and publishing expert Courtney Maum! She gives us insight behind her terrific book, Before and After the Book Deal, and talks about the highs and lows of the publishing business. Tune in for her knowledgable tidbits about marketing, building an online platform, self-publishing, memoir, and more!Courtney MaumWebsite: https://www.courtneymaum.com/Substack: https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/welcomeSocial: @cbmaumGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BNEW! Writing Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

In speaking with my two guests, they shared stories of the three generations of writers in the family including, Irene's mother, Wilma, followed by my guest, Irene and her son Brendan. Brendan is an award winning graphic novel/picture book author and acquiring editor at Blackstone Publishing where he also runs the TV and Film Division even made notice of having his maternal grandmothers published books on his desk. Brendan shares that he was always supported and encouraged by his family with his passion for comic books which he started writing and drawing caricatures at a young age.In time, Irene expressed "that the family was moving in a different direction and the divorce was almost inevitable." Irene continues, "I'm highly emotionally intelligent and I finally found my tribe. I found people who spoke my language." This all occurred once she went back to school for her Masters Degree in Counseling, and later on became a social worker. Brendan raves about his childhood as a latch key kid. He loved growing up in Connecticut. And now as a father, he appreciates even more what it takes for parents to raise their children. And now he's learned even more about what his mother was going through raising the four Deneen children.Both Irene and Brendan claim to be emotionally intelligent-they are very good at listening to others, which Brendan feels that "not many people listen to one another these days." Brendan has always been there for his mom as a sounding board. Irene says " Brendan was my listening post." When she needed to talk, she call Brendan.They have a special bond for sure. They respect one another.Irene Deneen Murray: Irene Deneen Murray grew up in the 50's, an era when a woman could be a nurse, teacher or secretary. She chose teacher because it pleased her mother. In truth the first half of her life was devoted to taking care of or pleasing her mother. At age 50 having raised 4 kids in a Hollywood -worthy suburb, Irene became a divorcee and learned to love being more adventurous than she had previously ever imagined. By then she was working as a social worker having recently earned a Master's Degree in Counseling. Irene loves the natural world and has been a devoted hiker and later a biker, paddler and pretty consistently a practitioner of yoga. She continues these pastimes presently sometimes to the chagrin of her children since they may picture her falling off a cliff, rolling over in her kayak or some other catastrophe. Her children and grandchildren are her greatest achievement. She is a good observer and has insight galore but is sometimes amazed at how each of her children has developed so uniquely. Brendan Deneen is the author of the novelsThe Ninth Circle andThe Chrysalis, as well as the bestselling four-volume Night Night, Groot picture book series for Marvel/Disney. He's also the author of the middle-grade graphic novelGreen Arrow: Stranded for DC Comics; the novels Morbius: Blood Ties and Guardians of the Galaxy: Annihilation:Conquest from Marvel/Titan, and Alien: Uncivil War from 20th Century Studios/Titan. His other graphic novel work includes multiple volumes of Flash Gordon, an original Island of Misfit Toys book, and the original graphic novel Scatterbrain. In addition to his writing, Brendan has been working in the publishing and film/TV industries for twenty-five years, including development jobs with Scott Rudin Productions and Miramax, as well as editorial and book-to-film jobs with St. Martin's Press and Tor Books. He currently works at Blackstone Publishing, where he's an acquiring editor in addition to running the company's film/TV division, which he created, and where he has dozens of literary projects set up at movie studios, streamers, and networks. His short stories and essays have been published by St. Martin's Press, Reader's Digest Books, 13Thirty Press, and Necro Publications.  Brendan Deneen's Written Works:NOVELS                                                                    The Ninth CircleThe ChrysalisMorbius: Blood TiesGuardians of the Galaxy: Annihilation--ConquestAlien: Uncivil WarTracer GRAPHIC NOVELSScatterbrainFlash Gordon: The Mercy WarsFlash Gordon: Invasion of the Red Sword Flash Gordon: The Vengeance of MingThe Island of Misfit Toys Green Arrow: Stranded PICTURE BOOKSNight Night, Groot First Day of Groot!Snow Day for Groot!Summer Adventure for Groot! "Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers/female role models and the roles they play in our lives. Jackie's guests are open and honest and answer the question, are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother and so much more. You'll be amazed at what the responses are.Gina Kunadian wrote this 5 Star review on Apple Podcast:SHLTMM TESTIMONIAL GINA KUNADIAN JUNE 18, 2024“A Heartfelt and Insightful Exploration of Maternal Love”Jackie Tantillo's “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast is a treasure and it's clear why it's a 2023 People's Choice Podcast Award Nominee. This show delves into the profound impact mother and maternal role models have on our lives through personal stories and reflections.Each episode offers a chance to learn how different individuals have been shaped by their mothers' actions and words. Jackie skillfully guides these conversations, revealing why guests with similar backgrounds have forged different paths.This podcast is a collection of timeless stories that highlight the powerful role of maternal figures in our society. Whether your mother influenced you positively or you thrived despite challenges, this show resonates deeply.I highly recommend “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast for its insightful, heartfelt and enriching content.Gina Kunadian"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In 2018/2019, in getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal stories of their relationship with their mother, for better or worse and what they learned from that maternal relationship. Some of my guests include Nationally and Internationally recognized authors, Journalists, Columbia University Professors, Health Practitioners, Scientists, Artists, Attorneys, Baritone Singer, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Activists, Freighter Sea Captain, Film Production Manager, Professor of Writing Montclair State University, Attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Property Manager, Chefs, Self Help Advocates, therapists and so many more talented and insightful women and men.Jackie has worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. She has interviewed many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created the logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".Check out our website for more background information: https://www.jackietantillo.com/Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantilloLink to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/Or Find SHLTMM Website here: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/Listen wherever you find podcasts: https://www.facebook.com/ShouldHaveListenedToMyMotherhttps://www.facebook.com/jackietantilloInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/shouldhavelistenedtomymother/https://www.instagram.com/jackietantillo7/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-tantillo/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ShouldHaveListenedToMyMother

What's the secret behind designing a bestselling YA book cover? Are illustrated covers here to stay? Casey Moses, an Assistant Art Director at Penguin Random House, gives us some answers and provides insight into the role of a book cover designer. Listen to our in-depth conversation to learn about designing typography, special edition production, and the unusual methods for achieving perfect photoshoot conditions. Casey also shares her thoughts on international publishing markets and the importance of communication in creating covers that captivate readers and succeed in the market.Note: This episode was recorded in 2024, and we've since rebranded to the Thriving Writers Podcast. Stay tuned for new episodes soon!Casey MosesWebsite: https://www.caseymoses.com/Social: @_thebookcaseGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BNEW! Writing Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Ready to navigate the publishing landscape and want some practical advice? Mary Kole is joined by writing expert John Matthew Fox to chat about his work helping authors and founding his company, Bookfox. Conversation topics include the different publishing paths available to writers, the benefits and drawbacks of traditional vs. self-publishing, the challenges of effectively marketing one's work, and going beyond commercial success.John Matthew FoxWebsite: https://thejohnfox.com/Social: @johnmatthewfoxGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitSuccessful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQNEW! Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Today, the Online for Authors podcast Guest Host Tina Hogan Grant chats Donna Levin, author of the book The Talking Stick. Donna's work is included in Boston University's Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center and in the California State Library's collection of California novels. She is the author of Extraordinary Means, California Street, There's More Than One Way Home, and He Could Be Another Bill Gates, as well as her latest novel, The Talking Stick, a dramedy about four women who discover that some of their most-cherished memories are romanticized versions of the truth. In addition to novels, Donna has published two books about writing:  Get that Novel Started and Get that Novel Written, both with Writer's Digest Books. Donna has taught fiction writing for three decades, most notably at the University of California Extension at Berkeley, where she led the novel writing workshop. She has also been a frequent guest at writers' conferences, including the San Francisco Writers' Conference and the Squaw Valley Community of Writers. She lives in San Francisco. In her book review, Tina  stated that this is a Joyful and at times humorous read that had me laughing out loud. After Hunter loses her cheating husband to her so-called friend, Angelica. Hunter decides to start a support group and places flyers around her neighborhood. I enjoyed reading how Danika, Alicia, and Penelope stumbled on the flyer and how we were introduced to the characters. I felt like I was sitting in on their meetings, learning of their history, struggles, and challenges. All were unique and over time their friendship grew and by the end of the book they had become a sisterhood. The storyline kept me engaged and many women will relate to one of the women's stories. Well written with a few surprises. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.  Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1 Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290 You can follow Author Website: https://www.donnalevin.com/ FB: @authordonnalevin IG: @donnalevinauthor LinkedIn: @donna-levin-50b5047 X: @DonnaLevinWrite   Purchase on Amazon: Hardback: https://amzn.to/4eBSBkb Ebook: https://amzn.to/3zDy53Q   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   #donnalevin #thetalkingstick #womensfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Despite the challenges of balancing writing with a day job and parenting, middle grade and YA author Tracy Badua keeps churning out adventurous contemporary fantasy stories. Tracy's books, all featuring Filipino-American characters, explore themes of cultural identity and family expectations, even drawing inspiration from Filipino superstitions she grew up with. Her stories provide joyful, diverse representation for young readers while also tackling complex emotional and cultural issues faced by her tween and teen protagonists. Check out her newest release, Thea and the Mischief Makers, available now!Read the transcript for this episode here: https://goodstorycompany.com/blog/tracy-baduaTracy BaduaWebsite: https://tracybadua.com/Social: @tracybaduawritesGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitSuccessful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQNEW! Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Young adult author Farrah Penn (Twelve Steps to Normal & Cancelled) details her publishing journey, from striking out on submission to her newest novel. Listen in to this conversation for thoughts on the young adult genre, using tropes, crafting stakes and curveballs for your characters, and how screenwriting may help when writing a novel. Farrah PennWebsite: https://www.farrahpenn.com/Social: @farrahpennGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitSuccessful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQNEW! Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Jane K. Cleland's books on the craft of writing, Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot and Mastering Plot Twists [Writer's Digest Books, now Penguin Putnam Random House] both won the Agatha Award. Her newest book on the craft of writing, Beat the Bots: An Author's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI, will be published in June 2025. Jane has also written fourteen novels in the multiple award-winning Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series [St. Martin's Minotaur, with short fiction published by Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine]. In addition, Jane is a contributing editor for Writer's Digest Magazine and the chair of the Black Orchid Novella Award, presented by the Wolfe Pack in partnership with Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Jane is a frequent in-person and online presenter at writing conferences, association meetings, and MFA Residencies. She also offers small-group Mystery Mastermind virtual workshops, free monthly webinars, and weekly YouTube Shorties—one- to three-minutes answers to FAQ. More information is available at http://janecleland.com.www.Janecleland.com/YouTubehttps://www.tiktok.com/@beatthebotsbookhttps://www.tiktok.com/@janekclelandauthorFacebook Page https://www.facebook.com/janeclelandbooksInstagram https://www.instagram.com/janekcleland/www.janecleland.com*****************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/

Going viral on TikTok can't be your entire book marketing strategy. So how do new authors go about finding their ideal readers? Jenn Hanson-dePaula guides you through the steps of elevating your book promo! Tune in to hear her take on what marketing is and isn't, tips for building your social media platform (including valuable advice on what to post), and why you should have a newsletter.Jenn Hanson-dePaulaWebsite: https://jenndepaula.com/Instagram: @mixtusmediaTikTok: @mixtusmediaGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitSuccessful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoNEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Tonight, we serve T-E-A together to make a difference. Author Donna LevinTeatime with Miss Liz joined by Author Donna Levin for her new book “The Talking Stick.”Donna is bringing a strong T-E-A of T=TenaciousE=EmpathicA=AwareJoin us on June 24th at 7 PM EST for the live open discussion. Bring your support, comments and questions and make a difference together. Author Donna LevinWITH A QUICK SUBSCRIPTION TO MISS LIZS YOUTUBE CHANNEL BELOW: https://lnkd.in/eyUnWa5q Meet my Guest: Donna Levin's work is included in Boston University's Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center and the California State Library's collection of California novels. Donna Levin is the author of Extraordinary Means, California Street, There's More Than One Way Home, and He Could Be Another Bill Gates. In April, 2024, Skyhorse published her latest novel, The Talking Stick, a dramedy about four women discovering that some of their most cherished memories are romanticized versions of the truth. In addition to novels, Donna has published two books about writing: Get that Novel Started and Get that Novel Written, both with Writer's Digest Books. Donna has taught fiction writing for three decades, most notably at the University of California Extension at Berkeley, where she led the novel writing workshop. She has also been a frequent guest at writers' conferences, including the San Francisco Writers' Conference and the Squaw Valley Community of Writers. The Los Angeles Times has called Donna Levin “a novelist to keep high on your reading list,” she has also been reviewed by the New York Times. Her fifth novel, a dramedy titled “The Talking Stick,” was released on April 23rd, and she has also written two books on writing. Her work is included in Boston University's Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center and the California State Library's collection of California novels.https://lnkd.in/e3ZjFjCF#teatimewithmissliz#misslizstea#misslizsteatime#makingadifference#podcast#OpenDiscussion#joinus#livestreaming#authorlife#author#editor#writingteacher#Thetalkingstick#novelist

Mary is joined by NYT bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka to chat about his experience in children's publishing. He shares the challenges and gratifications of reaching across different age categories and the importance of illustrations in storytelling. Listen to hear his tips on writing within established franchises (like Star Wars), how to pivot a picture book idea into a graphic novel series, and memoir writing.Jarrett J. KrosoczkaWebsite: https://www.studiojjk.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiojjk/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studiojjkGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitSuccessful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUNEW RELEASE! How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoNEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

A prideful swallow is cursed and changed into the form that she finds most abhorrent, a tree. Genre: Fable   Excerpt: The swallow was a happy bird, but also somewhat superior. Nothing brought her joy the way flying did. Slicing through the clouds and flicking the air with the perfect points of her tail. She believed that birds were the supreme creatures of the world. Because they could fly. Some insects could fly as well, of course. But birds could fly higher, faster, and farther than any insect. The happy swallow pitied any creature who could not fly.   What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?EXERCISE: Grab a book off the shelf—any book!  Don't bother searching for anything in particular.  Open it at random and begin reading.  Write down every idea you get from reading what is on that single page. Now turn to another page and do the same thing. Later, scroll down the aisle, pick another book whose title arouses your curiosity; once again open the book at random, and record any ideas that come to mind. Source: The Daily Writer: 366 meditations to cultivate a productive and meaningful writing life. Fred White. Writer's Digest Books. 2008. 20 Master Plots and How to Build Them (And How to Build Them). Ronald B. Tobias. Writer's Digest Books. 1993. I landed on page 151, the chapter on metamorphosis plot.   Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method.  You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER   I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE   CREDITS Story: “The Swallow Who Was a Willow” Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by JONATHAN SHAW* “Checking Inventory” “Cold Sanctuary” “In Tranquil Spring” “Visions of Freedom” “A Bitter Hope” “Thoughts” “Heated Lands” “Afternoon Chat” “A Dream of First Flight”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Jonathan Shaw licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.ukFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center a tree that splits off to two main branches close to the base, and splits further out into gnarled bare branches that extend across the top half of the image. Under the right side of the tree is a swallow in flight, seen from the top.  The shadowy silhouette of another swallow appears in the background on the left side. Patterned and color-matched borders added at top and bottom to make the rectangular image a square. Watermark of “Storyfeather” at bottom right. This is episode #333. Gasp! What does that mean?

Danielle Marietta joins the podcast to discuss her publishing company, Books & Things Publishing, the children's book sphere, and the importance of promoting diverse authors. Tune in to learn more about Danielle's writing journey, and her tips on self-publishing, social media marketing, and connecting with your target audience.Danielle MariettaWebsite: https://www.daniellemariettabooks.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellemariettabooks/Books & Things PublishingWebsite: https://booksandthingspublishing.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksandthingspub/Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitSuccessful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUNEW RELEASE! How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoNEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Romance author Allison Speka joins the pod to discuss her journey into writing and self-publishing. She talks about her love for the romance genre, and shares her experience with self-publishing, including tips on cover design, book marketing, and the value of learning from other indie authors.Allison Speka:Website: https://www.allisonspeka.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spekaallisonGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitSuccessful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUNEW RELEASE! How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoNEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

In life and beyond, the elephant king seeks only one aim, to protect his people from despair. Genre: Fable   Excerpt: As the elephant king lay dying, struck silent by his pain, able only to breathe shattered breaths, his mind thought its last thoughts. He could forgive the ones who had killed him. But forgiveness would do his people no good. He could lay a curse upon the ones who had killed him, villains and villagers alike. He was a king. The ghosts of his ancestors would answer his summons and grant him his last wish. But curses were dangerous, not just to those who were cursed, but to those who did the cursing.    What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?EXERCISE: Grab a book off the shelf—any book!  Don't bother searching for anything in particular. Open it at random and begin reading. Write down every idea you get from reading what is on that single page. Now turn to another page and do the same thing. Later, scroll down the aisle, pick another book whose title arouses your curiosity; once again open the book at random, and record any ideas that come to mind. Source: The Daily Writer: 366 meditations to cultivate a productive and meaningful writing life. Fred White. Writer's Digest Books. 2008. The book I grabbed was a writing a book. 20 Master Plots and How to Build Them (And How to Build Them). Ronald B. Tobias. Writer's Digest Books. 1993. I randomly turned to page 65 in the chapter about quest plots. So at first, the story was a quest about the elephant king seeking to recover his stolen tusks.   Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called “Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks.” You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.)    Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE   CREDITSStory: “The Obsidian Tusks” Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* “Song Mistery” “Song Visiting Her Forest” “Song Painful Memories (Loop)” “Atmosphere Persecution Danger (Loop)” “Exploration Mystery (loop)” “Cue Nature” “Exploration Cave (loop)” “Exploration Forest of Magic” “Location Medieval Tavern Song” “Exploration Mystical Place (loop 2)” “Holy Hymn (loop)”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Albert Fernandez licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com    Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center, an adult elephant stands facing forward, the left flank visible. Long shiny black tusks extend down around the trunk. The elephant looks down at the body of a baby elephant lying horizontally in front. The baby's skin appears patched with dirt and the remnant of a broken white tusk. The hazy outlines and silhouettes of trees and a leafy canopy appear behind and around the elephants. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along flank.

Editor and writing coach Katie Wolf joins the pod for an inspiring conversation about getting started in publishing, work-life balance, and writing to market. She also discusses the importance of prioritizing mental health and why self-awareness is key in developing your writing craft.Katie Wolf:Website: https://www.thekatiewolf.com/Podcast-- Blank Page to Book: https://www.thekatiewolf.com/podcast/001Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekatiewolf/Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitNEW RELEASE! Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600 Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoNEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Thriller vs. Suspense... what's the difference? Heather Dixon, whose debut novel Burlington hits shelves this week, chats with Mary Kole about getting published and the appeal of suspenseful women's fiction. She also discusses plotting high stakes, developing character arcs, and writing "quiet stories." Heather Dixon:Website: https://www.heatherdixon.ca/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hdixonwriterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherdixonwriter/Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitNEW RELEASE! Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600 Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoNEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Gabriela Pereira, my friend and the founder of DIY MFA, interviews me about creative flow. I share my strategies for building focus and reducing decision fatigue, and we do a major deep dive into one of my favorite topics: how to end the never-ending cycle of burnout and design a sustainable creative career. More from the episode Tips for transforming your creative practice into a habit you don't have to think about What are your “circles of control”? How can acknowledging them help ease your overwhelm and give you more agency? How hustle culture negatively impacts creatives and leads to cycles of burnout The number one thing you need to consider when designing a sustainable creative career We explore alternative paths to making a living as an author, and business models that harness your unique toolkit and experience About Gabriela Pereira Gabriela Pereira is a writer, teacher, and self-proclaimed word nerd who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in creative writing from The New School and teaches at national conferences, local workshops, and online. She is also the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors and offers short audio master classes. Her book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community is out now from Writer's Digest Books. Connect with Gabriela DIYMFA.com Additional Links Hustle Culture is a Scam. Here's How You Really Reach Creative Career Success.For full transcripts, show notes, and more episodes, head to https://jessicaabel.com/acpod/

Rob Kent, author and host of the Middle Grade Ninja podcast, joins Mary Kole to talk about his illustrious publishing career and provides valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring writers. He discusses the importance of managing expectations and success in your writing career, as well as writing for your own personal happiness. Rob Kent:Website: http://www.middlegradeninja.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/MGNinjaGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitNEW RELEASE! Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600 Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoNEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

You want to write a book? Listen to this and you'll be all set. Dark YA novelist Gretchen McNeil joins Mary Kole in an episode all about recognizing and executing a good story idea. They discuss the shifting young adult book market and embracing diversity, mastering storytelling structure and the importance of shaping the reader's experience, and the controversial subject of IP development.Gretchen McNeil:Website: https://www.gretchenmcneil.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/GretchenMcNeilGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitNEW RELEASE! Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600 Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco

I love these old Time Life and Reader's Digest books. Here are two I own: “Great Disasters” and “Strange Stories, Amazing Facts.” YouTube: https://youtu.be/29bYGet-qd4 Support […]

How does a new author start gaining traction? Can you stay authentic while "selling yourself" as a writer? Book Marketer and PR Coach Emily Enger joins Mary to talk about some of the aspects of the writing process that might leave a yucky taste in our mouths. Tune in for actionable tips and insights into a publicist and marketer's side of the publishing world.Good Enough Book Marketing: https://www.goodenoughbookmarketing.comEmily's Website: https://emilyenger.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyengerwrites Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.  Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco

Join Mary Kole and Sara Zarr as they talk about the complex realities surrounding publishing and becoming a career author within a rapidly shifting young adult and middle grade marketplace. Sara Zarr brings insight and personal experiences to surviving the sudden and drastic changes within the YA marketplace, such as the popularization of certain YA genres and how that affects YA authors who specialize outside of those genres.Website: http://www.sarazarr.com/Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/sarazarrbooksGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubCrafting Dynamic Characters Online Course: https://bit.ly/writingcharacterWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco

Tune in for a chat with Mary Kole's long-time friend in the children's publishing space, YA Author J.C. Geiger. He tells all about how he made an epic mixtape with music no one's heard before (and met his heroes in the process), writing young adult characters, the future of post-pandemic fiction, and—of course—the power of music.Website: https://jcgeiger.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/jcgeiger Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubCrafting Dynamic Characters Online Course: https://bit.ly/writingcharacterWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit Follow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco

In the spotlight is Elizabeth Sims, author of the “Rita Farmer Mysteries” and the “Lillian Byrd Crime Series,” and she has written short stories, poems, and essays for numerous publications. Sims is a widely recognized authority on writing, frequently writing for Writer's Digest magazine, where she is a contributing editor. Through her articles, in-person workshops, and online teaching, she has helped thousands of fledgling authors find their wings. You might find inspiration in her book, “You've Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams, published by Writer's Digest Books.”  We discuss: >> Getting strategically “sloppy” with your writing>> Common plot problems and how to solve them>> Rescuing mundane characters>> Membership in American Mensa>> The overuse of dialogue>> Trimming excessive copy>> Etc. Learn more about Elizabeth Sims at: https://www.elizabethsims.com/ Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol, author of “Family Recipes: A Novel About Italian Culture, Catholic Guilt and the Culinary Crime of the Century,” “Hardwood: A Novel About College Basketball and Other Games Young Men Play,” and two yet-to-be-published manuscripts, “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” and the short story collection “Love American Style.” Write to him at novelistspotlight@gmail.com. We hope you will subscribe and share the link with any family, friends or colleagues who might benefit from this program.

1.) Mastermind Journaling - writing down highlights, stories, and quotes. 2.) Mastermind journeling by voice to text, printing, and folder set up. 3.) Grouping your reading - read 10-15 books on a particular topic, highlight them, and mastermind them.

Since he was a boy, Gregg Levoy has always been fueled by a lifelong quest for the questions. Little wonder he grew up to become a brilliant journalist, international speaker, and bestselling author of Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life and Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion, among many other publications.He just exudes curiosity, insight and wonder, and shares the gifts of his incredible enthusiasm for life, for curiosity itself and for discovering and living the practices that cultivate aliveness right now. Honestly, I feel like I could ask him anything and he'd give it his full attention and draw deep from his well of intuition and awe, and take a shot at it. He is both wise and wide-eyed, both a giver and a humble receiver. Our conversation is full of soul and surprise - and little suspense. I felt like we were on a kind of an archeological dig. We riff on how to stay in conversation with ourselves during chaos, and why the power of rituals  can mark our turning points in profound ways. And I just love how he spontaneously offers up real-time guidance on some really interesting practices that help us get to the truth of the stories we tell ourselves - to, as he puts it, "make a little edgewise room for doubt just enough that the story begins to change and crumble.”We talk about the power of presence, the hidden energy of stuckness, and his "deep trust in the relationship between setbacks and breakthroughs" as he navigates the now.***Gregg Levoy is the author of Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion (Penguin), and Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life (Random House) –rated among the "Top 20 Career Publications" by the Workforce Information Group and a text in various graduate programs in Management and Organizational Leadership. He is a former "behavioral specialist" at USA Today, and a regular blogger for Psychology Today.A former adjunct professor of journalism at the University of New Mexico, former columnist and reporter for USA Today and the Cincinnati Enquirer, and author of This Business of Writing (Writer's Digest Books), he has written for the New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, Omni, Psychology Today, Christian Science Monitor, Fast Company, Reader's Digest, and many others, as well as for corporate, promotional and television projects.He lives in Santa Cruz, CA.Gregg's website www.gregglevoy.comGregg's writing at Psychology Today:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passion/202204/the-tug-war-between-our-wild-side-and-our-tame-sidehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passion/202202/the-power-passionate-curiosity-and-the-fear-ithttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passion/202108/why-you-have-question-the-stories-you-tell-yourself  

Ep: 108 Lambda Literary Award and Goldie Award winner Elizabeth Sims talks with Brad about balancing being both a writer and an editor, how her writing voice reflects her personality, working on a sheep ranch, and the experiences that shaped her outlook on  life.Podcast Website:   www.queerwritersofcrime.comSign up for the show's Queer Writers of Crime newsletter.Check out Queer Writers of Crime Guest's blog.Help Support This Podcast   buymeacoffee.com/queerwriters   Disclosure: To cover the cost of producing Queer Writers of Crime, some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, Brad will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.Elizabeth Sims Website: elizabethsims.comElizabeth's Amazon Author PageTight Race by Elizabeth Sims:  amzn.to/3tOelEILeft Field by Elizabeth Sims:   https://amzn.to/3tLqIS4Elizabeth Sims on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.sims.9862Elizabeth Sims learned the art of fiction by listening to tall tales on her father's knee, and by reading all sorts of books brought home by her mother, a teacher. Today Elizabeth is the author of the Rita Farmer Mysteries, the Lambda and GCLS Goldie Award-winning Lillian Byrd Crime Series, and other fiction, including the standalone novel Crimes in a Second Language, which won the Florida Book Awards silver medal. Booklist calls her work “Crime fiction as smart as it is compelling,” and Crimespree magazine praises her “strong voice and wonderful characters.”Elizabeth is an internationally recognized authority on writing. She's written dozens of feature articles on the craft of writing for Writer's Digest magazine, where she's a contributing editor. Her instructional title, You've Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams (Writer's Digest Books) has been specially recognized by National Novel Writing Month and hundreds of other web sites and bloggers. As an adjunct professor she has taught creative writing at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, and is a popular speaker at conferences and workshops around the United States. She's worked as a reporter, photographer, technical writer, bookseller, street busker, ranch hand, corporate executive, certified lifeguard, and symphonic percussionist.Brad's Website: bradshreve.comSupport Requeered Tales  re-publishing award-winning, post-Stonewall gay and lesbian fiction — with a focus on mystery, literary and horror/sci-fi genres.requeeredtales.com

We are so happy to speak with Kerri Maher, author of The Paris Bookseller. Based on the life of Sylvia Beach—bookseller, publisher and entrepreneur—this novel brings 1920s Paris to life in the most gorgeous, delicious ways. If you've been looking for a work that's both escapist (the food! The love story! The writers!!) and will also feel like (easy, fun) learning, this is the book for you. Fans of Joyce, Stein, Pound, Hemingway, and (many!) more will be pleased to see these familiar faces come to life on the pages of her book. We discuss everything from vivid descriptions with small word count, to the many “apprentice” novels Kerri will never publish, to the politics of publishing then and now. Kerri says: My first novel, The Kennedy Debutante, came out in 2018, and my second in 2020: The Girl In White Gloves: A Novel of Grace Kelly. My third, The Paris Bookseller, about trailblazing entrepreneur Sylvia Beach and the original Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, is coming in early 2022.  I'll also have another historical novel coming your way from Berkley in 2023, a fact that makes me feel incredibly lucky and grateful after spending so many years (and years!) writing and working on the craft.  If you want to know more about those years, check out my memoir This Is Not a Writing Manual: Notes for the Young Writer in the Real World (Writer's Digest Books) under the name Kerri Majors. I am also the founder of an award-winning journal of YA literature, YARN. Learn more about her here: https://www.kerrimaher.com/

Our conversation spins and twirls in the dance of the making sense humorously. We discuss his early comedic upbringing and surviving in Brooklyn. Then, onto his participation in creating an alternative school in Washington DC during the 60s. The circuity of comedy and conversation takes us through sharing sacred space in truth telling as well. Swami ultimately pronounces an upwising in the awareness of Americans toward the Heartland and our part in the Great Weset. Steve Bhaerman is an internationally known author, humorist, and workshop leader. For the past 29 years, he has written and performed as Swami Beyondananda, the "Cosmic Comic." Swami's comedy has been called "irreverently uplifting" and has been described both as "comedy disguised as wisdom" and "wisdom disguised as comedy." the Swami, Steve is the author of Driving Your Own Karma (1989), When You See a Sacred Cow, Milk It For All It's Worth (1993), Duck Soup for the Soul (1999) and Swami for Precedent: A 7-Step Plan to Heal the Body Politic and Cure Electile Dysfunction (2004). In his "past life" (before Swami), Steve started an alternative high school in Washington, D.C. and co-authored a book about his experiences, No Particular Place to Go: Making of a Free High School. A political science major, he later taught history to autoworkers at Wayne State University in Detroit as part of the Weekend College. In 1980, Steve co-founded Pathways Magazine in Ann Arbor, Michigan, one of the first publications bringing together holistic health, personal growth, spirituality, and politics. Subsequent to Pathways, Steve was a freelance writer and co-author with Don McMillan of Friends and Lovers: How to Meet the People You Want to Meet (Writer's Digest Books, 1986). Since 2005, Steve has written a political blog with a spiritual perspective, Notes From the Trail, hailed as an encouraging voice "in the bewilderness." His latest book, written with cellular biologist Bruce H. Lipton, PhD is Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future and a Way to Get There From Here (Hay House, 2009). Steve is active in transpartisan politics and the practical application of Spontaneous Evolution. Steve currently helps comedians and non-comedians alike bring more joy and playfulness into their work, communicate more effectively through humor, and "humorize" their message. He continues to travel the US and the world performing cosmic comedy in his Swami persona. Academian Mironova's Dissertation: https://youtu.be/sMxvNJMiJHs For More... https://wakeuplaughing.com Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-bhaerman-026a1b/ Driving Your Own Karma: Swami Beyondananda's Tour Guide to Enlightenment: https://amzn.to/3dWGdyn Swami for Precedent: A 7-Step Plan to Heal the Body Politic and Cure Electile Dysfunction: https://amzn.to/3k1WvKc Spontaneous Evolution: https://amzn.to/36nUXCf Duck Soup for the Soul: https://amzn.to/3yHwyDC When You See a Sacred Cow, Milk It for All It's Worth: https://amzn.to/3AVfz2T ____________________________________________________________________ Zen's Re:Build presentation on Holistic Education: https://youtu.be/_rTBroZHwAQ ZERO to ONE - Making Our Way Toward a Conscious Civilization: https://amzn.to/3FOvZMO Subscribe to One World in a New World - https://www.youtube.com/c/OneWorldinaNewWorld Zen's books on Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/zendor Music: Outcasts and Social Misfits (Zen on drums) Buy Zen a cup of coffee: https://bit.ly/3gxIceb Digital Vitae: https://zenbenefiel.com Transformational Life Coach: https://BeTheDream.com

Kim Catanzarite stopped by the Bunker to talk about her novel, They Will Be Coming For Us. Kim is also an editor, working with Writer's Digest Books, and she teaches copyediting at Writer's Digest University. And, she's a self-publishing advocate, which is one of our passions here at the Jam! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Katie is joined by Dr. Sarah Rose Cavanagh, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Associate Director of the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption College and author of The Spark of Learning: Energizing the College Classroom with the Science of Emotion. Segment 1: Emotions and Teaching [00:00-12:53] In this first segment, Sarah discusses her research on emotions and teaching. Segment 2: Signing with a Literary Agent [12:54-23:52] In segment two, Sarah shares the process of signing with a literary agent. In this segment, the following resources are mentioned: Connect with Dr. Sarah Rose Cavanagh on Twitter: @SaRoseCav Cavanagh, S. R. (2016). The spark of learning: Energizing the college classroom with the science of emotion. Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Press. Sambuchino, C. (2015). Get a literary agent: The complete guide to securing representation for your work. Blue Ash, OH: Writer’s Digest Books. RIA # 49: Dr. Therese Houston on Drawing Media Attention  Segment 3: Helping Students Manage Negative Emotion States [23:53-35:22] In segment three, Sarah discusses her most recent research project. In this segment, the following resources are mentioned: See Dr. Sarah Rose Cavanagh’s faculty profile page for more about her current research projects Association for Psychological Science (APS) past and future conventions POD Network Conference To share feedback about this podcast episode, ask questions that could be featured in a future episode, or to share research-related resources, post a comment below or contact the “Research in Action” podcast: Twitter: @RIA_podcast or #RIA_podcast Email: riapodcast@oregonstate.edu Voicemail: 541-737-1111 If you listen to the podcast via iTunes, please consider leaving us a review. The views expressed by guests on the Research in Action podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Oregon State University Ecampus or Oregon State University.

EPISODE 171I James Scott Bell is a Christy Award-winning and International Thriller Writers Award-winning author in several fiction genres, and a beloved and sought-after writing teacher. He has written many nonfiction titles on the craft of writing, including several for Writer’s Digest Books. In today’s episode, Jim talks about how he got the idea for his craft book, Write Your Novel From the Middle.

From 2009: Jane Friedman is publisher and editorial director of the Writer's Digest community at F+W Media in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she oversees all facets of the Writer's Digest brand, including Writer's Digest magazine, Writer’s Digest Books, annual market guides, online education, events, and competitions. Her blog, "There Are No Rules," discusses how writers can succeed in an era of change in the writing and publishing industry.

James Scott Bell is a Christy Award-winning and International Thriller Writers Award-winning author in several fiction genres, and a beloved and sought-after writing teacher. He has written many nonfiction titles on the craft of writing, including several for Writer’s Digest Books. In today’s episode, Jim talks about how he got the idea for his craft…

In today’s episode we talk about Writing. Knowledge without the college. How to improve your writing by thinking like a copywriter. The concept of innovation. In order to write – you need to read. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS PODCAST EPISODE: DIY Cast it, fix it and test it Join other writer groups/forums to connect, discuss Where to start GABRIELA PEREIRA SAID: “I just don’t want to go through the pains of getting accredited in the USA” “You don’t need a Diploma in order to be a writer” “Make it part of your Branding” “Hire someone for the graphic design” “Have an Editor” “Story telling is a design” HEAR MORE ABOUT GABRIELA PEREIRA: In a past life, Gabriela worked in the toy industry, creating educational activities and games for toddlers, preschoolers, and tweens. She has taught several writing courses in New York City and gives keynotes on college campuses as well as training programs on creativity in the workplace. She is a writer, teacher, and self-proclaimed word nerd who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in creative writing from The New School and teaches at national conferences, local workshops, and online. She is also the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors and offers short audio master classes. Her book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community is out now from Writer’s Digest Books. To join the word nerd community, go to: DIYMFA.com/join. Her favorite thing to do is come up with dastardly plans for new writing courses, and create innovative resources to share with her word nerds. When she’s not building cool stuff, Gabriela loves to write middle grade and teen fiction, with some “nerdy fiction for grown-ups” thrown in for good measure. She is represented by Jeff Kleinman at Folio Literary Management and her book, DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community, was published in spring 2016 from Writer’s Digest Books. As always, Gabriela has several other top secret plans in the works and the best way to stay in the loop is to sign up for her. FAVOURITE QUOTE TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD “The whole world are stories” BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ Anthology of short form work/literature The Art of a Short Story by RS Gwynn CONNECT WITH GABRIELA PEREIRA Website Facebook Business Page LinkedIn Twitter CONNECT WITH SASHKA Click to join Sashka’s Facebook community: Branding & Marketing Magic Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter LinkedIn Want to be a guest on the podcast? Apply to be featured on the No Name Brand Podcast here. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES AND SOUNDCLOUD.

Bill welcomes author Windy Lynn Harris to the show. Windy Lynn Harris is the author of Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays: The Essential Guide to Getting Your Work Published (Writer’s Digest Books). She’s a prolific writer, a trusted mentor, and a frequent speaker at literary events. Her long list of short stories and personal essays have been published in literary, trade, and women’s magazines across the U.S. and Canada in places like The Literary Review,The Sunlight Press, and Literary Mama, among many other journals. Her articles for writers can be found at The Review Review, the 2018 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market (Writer’s Digest Books), the 2018 Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market (Writer’s Digest Books), and many industry blogs.

Have you been struggling to find time for writing in your busy life? Are you sitting on a good idea, but can’t focus to get it done? Today on Financial Fluency, I’m pleased to have Gabriela Pereira with me. Gabriela is the author of DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community and founder of DIY MFA, the do-it-yourself alternative to a Master's degree in writing. She created DIY MFA to help writers around the world get the "knowledge without the college." Gabriela’s mission is to empower creative individuals to take an entrepreneurial approach to writing. On the show, Gabriela mentions she’s had many prior lives, and jokingly considers herself to be part feline because of that. She worked as a psychology researcher for a while then went on to design toys before founding DIY MFA. Gabriela admits it was an accident; she didn’t found DIY MFA, it “found” her. On this episode, you’ll hear how that accident came to fruition and where she is today. Gabriela starts off by sharing where the idea for DIY MFA began. Gabriela admits she went to school to get her MFA for all the wrong reasons. She didn’t know how to get published, but she knew she was good at writing. It wasn’t until she was sitting in her commencement ceremony expecting to feel like a writer, and she didn’t feel it, that the DIY idea came to her. She talked to a lot of people, and she realized a fair amount of them could not go on to obtain their MFA as she did. Gabriela thought about how she could share what she learned in the MFA structure and how to help people construct their DIY MFA themselves. Gabriela did what everyone did with a blog in 2010—she wrote about it, and her question was simple:  "If there was a DIY MFA would you do it?”  Fast-forward to 2012, Gabriela is nine months pregnant and attending the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City. At the conference, she finds herself talking to a guy who asked to hear her “pitch slam.” (It’s kind of like speed dating for writers - you pitch your book idea to an agent.) To Gabriela’s surprise, this man ended up being a Writer’s Digest agent. After hearing her pitch, he gave her his card and said to send him the book proposal. Gabriela notes before jumping the gun she contacted an old colleague, Jeff Kleinman. After talking to him, she ended up signing him as her agent. The first thing he told her was that her site and social numbers needed to improve, so Gabriela spent two and a half years building her platform. She grew her business, spoke at conferences, made connections, and got her name out there. At the end of December of 2014, she signed the book writing contract, and DIY MFA took off.  Gabriela believes people should write their book; it’s an accomplishment that gives the author three extra tools for their writing toolbox. Publishing a book is a credibility builder for your career. Writing your book gives you visibility as an author. The journey of writing the book makes you clarify your ideas.   Gabriela’s Writing Techniques Writing advice from Gabriela to help you power through writing a book. Pick one. Zero in and make a choice on what you want to do, what you want to write about, and figure out where your heart is. Stick with it until the end. Remember, if you say “no” to something, you’re saying yes to the thing you want. Revise. Take your revisions as far as you can. Start editing the important part of your book: voice, characters, plot. After you’ve reviewed those elements to make sense of your story, you can move to the scene-by-scene. Look at the dialogue and description. You don’t want to go through a manuscript line-by-line with a red pen if you’re going to end up deleting portions of the book. Keep writing. Avoid the “Shiny Object” syndrome, and focus on writing the one thing your heart tells you to do. Keep pushing through. Writing in the middle of the book is the most daunting task for a lot of writers. Keep thinking about the story and how to keep your readers along for the journey.   The great benefit of Gabriela’s advice is you can use this approach for any written project in your business.  To keep up with Gabriela and DIY MFA, visit the website here. Also, if you're a newbie to the writing industry, blogger, or established author, Gabriela has a writing podcast for you: DIYMFA.com/iTunes (iTunes), DIYMFA.com/StitcherRadio (Stitcher Radio), DIYMFA.com/GooglePlay (Google Play).  You can also follow her on social media: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram   Resources DIY MFA Starter Kit DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community   Bio Gabriela Pereira is a writer, speaker, and self-proclaimed word nerd who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers to take an entrepreneurial approach to their professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in creative writing from The New School and teaches at national conferences, regional workshops, and online. She is also the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors. Her book DIY MFA: WRITE WITH FOCUS, READ WITH PURPOSE, BUILD YOUR COMMUNITY is out now from Writer’s Digest Books.

Donna was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "a novelist to keep high on your reading list" thanks to her previous novels (Extraordinary Means and California Street), and now she's about to release a gorgeous, gripping novel about a mother who faces increasing hostility and an uncertain future when her son Jack, a young boy with Asperger's, is accused of killing a classmate, There’s More Than One Way Home. Read more about her latest book here! “Intriguing and gut-wrenching…reminiscent of Liane Moriarty...A witty, modern voice delivers a captivating tale about a mysterious death that feels like a light read but soon submerges the reader deep in the throes of substance.” -Kirkus ABOUT DONNA'S BOOK Image may contain: 1 person, textThere’s More Than One Way Home: Anna Kagen seems to have it all: She’s young, beautiful, and married to a wealthy, prominent man. But within the walls of her San Francisco mansion, she spends her time dodging her husband’s barbs and hunting down potential friends for her son, Jack, a 10-year-old on the autistic spectrum. That old life suddenly seems idyllic when, on a school field trip, she makes the small error in judgment that sets in motion a chain of events that leads to another boy’s death. Suddenly Jack is a suspect, her husband’s career is in jeopardy, and Anna has to choose between loyalty to her son…and what may be her one chance at happiness. ABOUT DONNA Donna taught fiction writing for two decades, most notably at the University of California Extension at Berkeley, where she led the Novel-Writing Workshop. Her first novel, Extraordinary Means (William Morrow), was celebrated by Kirkus as a “a witty, clear-eyed debut,” and the San Francisco Chronicle described it as “an extraordinarily lively, funny novel.” The Los Angeles Times called her second novel, California Street (Simon & Schuster) “inventive…thought-provoking and fun to read,” and The San Francisco Examiner called it “a lifeboat in a sea of featureless fiction.” Both of Donna’s novels were optioned for film. Donna taught fiction writing for two decades, most notably at the University of California Extension at Berkeley. She lives in San Francisco. Donna published her first novel, Extraordinary Means, with William Morrow. Kirkus called it “a witty, clear-eyed debut,” and the San Francisco Chronicle described it as “an extraordinarily lively, funny novel.” Her second novel, California Street, was published by Simon & Schuster. Digby Diehl wrote in the Los Angeles Times, “This is an inventive novel that is thought-provoking and fun to read, and Levin … is a novelist to keep high on your reading list.” The San Francisco Examiner called it “a lifeboat in a sea of featureless fiction.” Both of Donna’s novels were optioned for film. Donna has published two books about writing,Get that Novel Started and Get that Novel Written, both with Writer’s Digest Books. Get that Novel Written was translated into Italian and published by Dino Audino Editore. Donna taught fiction writing for two decades, most notably at the University of California Extension at Berkeley, where she led the Novel-Writing Workshop. Many of her students have gone on to publish, including Frank Baldwin (Balling the Jack and Jake and Mimi), Terry Gamble (Water Dancers and Good Family), and Mark Coggins, author of the August Riordan mysteries. She has also been a frequent guest at writers’ conferences, including the San Francisco Writers’ Conference and the Squaw Valley Community of Writers. For many years she was a freelance book reviewer for the San Francisco Chronicle and a columnist for the San Francisco Independent. Donna’s work is included in Boston University’s 20th Century Archives and in the California State Library’s collection of California novels. She lives in San Francisco. About the Publisher: Chickadee Prince Books is a young Brooklyn small publisher of acclaimed fiction and non-fiction. CPB publishes the Watt O’Hugh literary science fiction series, and in 2016 published the critical hit, Max’s Diamonds by Jay Greenfield. CPB will publish five new titles in Spring 2017. http://www.donnalevin.com/

Gabriela Pereira: Instigator and Creative Director Gabriela Pereira earned her MFA from The New School, in New York. While undercover as a graduate student, she learned the inside scoop on MFA programs, invented a slew of writing tools all her own, and developed a new, more effective way for writers to learn their craft. Now she wants to share this discovery and help writers around the world get the "knowledge without the college." In a past life, Gabriela worked in the toy industry, creating educational activities and games for toddlers, pre-schoolers, and tweens. After that, she taught several writing courses in New York City at organizations like: 826NYC, Everybody Wins, EHTP, and a local writing workshop she built from the ground up. While Gabriela now teaches exclusively at DIY MFA, she continues to speak and lead workshops at national and international writing conferences, both online and off. Her favorite thing to do is come up with new dastardly plans and innovative resources for DIY MFA. When she's not working on DIY MFA, Gabriela loves to write middle grade and teen fiction, with short stories for "grown-ups" thrown in for good measure. Gabriela is represented by Jeff Kleinman at Folio Literary Management and her book about DIY MFA is scheduled for release in Spring 2016 from Writer's Digest Books.

Gabriela Pereira:  Instigator and Creative Director Gabriela Pereira earned her MFA from The New School, in New York. While undercover as a graduate student, she learned the inside scoop on MFA programs, invented a slew of writing tools all her own, and developed a new, more effective way for writers to learn their craft. Now she wants to share this discovery and help writers around the world get the “knowledge without the college.” In a past life, Gabriela worked in the toy industry, creating educational activities and games for toddlers, pre-schoolers, and tweens. After that, she taught several writing courses in New York City at organizations like: 826NYC, Everybody Wins, EHTP, and a local writing workshop she built from the ground up. While Gabriela now teaches exclusively at DIY MFA, she continues to speak and lead workshops at national and international writing conferences, both online and off. Her favorite thing to do is come up with new dastardly plans and innovative resources for DIY MFA. When she’s not working on DIY MFA, Gabriela loves to write middle grade and teen fiction, with short stories for “grown-ups” thrown in for good measure. Gabriela is represented by Jeff Kleinman at Folio Literary Management and her book about DIY MFA is scheduled for release in Spring 2016 from Writer’s Digest Books.

Robin Marantz Henig, the author of nine books, writes about science and medicine for The New York Times Magazine. “I have my moments of thinking, ‘Well, why is this still so hard? Why do I still have to prove myself after all this time?’ If I were in a different field, or if I were even on a staff, I’d have a title that gave me more respect. I still have to wait just as long as any other writer to get any kind of response to a pitch. I still have to pitch. Nothing is automatic, even after all these years of working at this.” Thanks to MailChimp, Johnson & Johnson, and Audible. Show Notes: @robinhenig robinhenig.com Henig on Longform [2:00] "The Mastermind" (Evan Ratliff • The Atavist Magazine • Mar 2016) [06:00] Vaginal Politics (Quadrangle Books • 1972) [12:00] Writer’s Market 2016: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published (Robert Lee Brewer • Writer’s Digest Books • 2015) [17:00] The Longform Guide to Nurses [16:00] The Myth of Senility: The Truth About the Brain and Aging (Anchor Press • 1981) [18:00] Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment (Martin Seligman • Free Press • 2002) [19:00] "AIDS: A New Disease’s Deadly Odyssey" (New York Times Magazine • Feb 1983) [20:00] "The Deadly Spread of AIDS" (Claudia Wallis • Time • Sep 1982) [sub req'd] [23:00] "The Genome in Black and White (and Gray)" (New York Times Magazine • Oct 2004) [27:00] "Racing With Sam" (New York Times Magazine • Jan 2005) [30:00] "A Life-or-Death Situation" (New York Times Magazine • Jul 2013) [32:00] "The Last Day of Her Life" (New York Times Magazine • May 2015) [36:00] "The Mysteries of Miscarriage" (Washington Post • Jul 1990) [36:00] "If ‘Modern Bride’ Is a Has-Been, What Does That Make Me?" (Slate • Oct 2009) [40:-0] "Visible Bra Straps" (USA Today • Jun 1998) [41:00] "What Is It About 20-Somethings?" (New York Times Magazine • Aug 2010) [41:00] Twentysomething: Why Do Young Adults Seem Stuck? (with Samantha Henig • Hudson Street Press • 2012) [43:00] "Semi-Charmed Life" (Nathan Heller • New Yorker • Jan 2013) [47:00] "If You Have Dementia, Can You Hasten Death As You Wished?" (Shots • Feb 2015) [52:00] "Crossing Over: How Science Is Redefining Life and Death" (National Geographic • Apr 2016)

On Win's Women of Wisdom today, Best-Selling Author, Win Kelly Charles welcomes Gabriela Pereira. Gabriela is the Instigator of DIY MFA, the do-it-your-self alternative to a Masters degree of writing. She earned an MFA from The New School and has helped hundreds of writers get the MFA experience without going to school. She teaches writing via conferences, workshops, and online courses. She also hosts the podcast DIY MFA Radio. When she’s not teaching or developing new courses, Gabriela enjoys writing middle grade and teen fiction, with a few “short stories for grown-ups” thrown in for good measure. Her book about DIY MFA will be out in July 2016 from Writer’s Digest Books. To lean more about Gabriela visit http://diymfa.com/. To learn more about your host visit https://wincharles.wix.com/win-charles. To learn more about the show visit http://winswomenofwisdom.weebly.com. To be on the show please fill out the intake at http://bit.ly/1MLJSLG. Be sure to FOLLOW this program https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wins-women-of-wisdom/id1060801905

Chuck Sambuchino shares his advice for querying writers. Discussing his book How To Get A Literary Agent & his new humour book, When Clowns Attack, A Survival Guide. Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest Books edits the annual Guide to Literary Agents and Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market. His Guide to Literary Agents blog is one of the most popular blogs in publishing. His 2010 humor book, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack, was optioned by Sony Pictures. His books have been mentioned in Reader’s Digest, USA Today, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Variety, and more. Chuck is also the author of Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, Get A Literary Agent, and, Create Your Writer Platform. His latest book, When Clowns Attack: A Survival Guide is available now. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey. 

Tuesday, July 1 4pm EDT:  Mitchell's guest today iis  professor and author, Fran Shaw, Ph.D. Purchase Fran's books here. Fran Shaw, Ph.D. is a longtime practitioner in a spiritual discipline, a professor teaching writing at the University of Connecticut, and an award-winning author whose works include Notes on The Next Attention, Writing My Yoga, and 50 Ways to Help You Write. Her new book Lord Have Murphy: Waking Up in the Spiritual Marketplace explores with great fun how contact with a finer Attention awakens us to a completely different level of being. Fran wrote a weekly column for the Hartford Courant, graduated from Barnard College where she won the Amy Loveman Poetry Prize and two national writing contests, and went on to Stanford University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and a Danforth Fellow. Recently she won the Azsacra International Poetry Award. Fran Shaw has been a student of the Gurdjieff work for decades. Early works in her career include the children's books Sharing: How Kindness Grows and What a Team!(Reader's Digest Books); the Write It Up Video Course and Workbook for Business Writers (Coronet/MTI/Simon & Schuster); and the textbook series Grammar and Composition(Houghton Mifflin, co-author). Her articles appear in Self, Connecticut, and Parabola. Tune in to hear Fran & Mitchell discuss her book & related topics. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abwmitchellrabin/support

Tony Marciante & Mali Phonpadith interview Gregg Levoy, Author & Speaker. Gregg is the author of Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion (Penguin), and Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life (Random House) –rated among the "Top 20 Career Publications" by the Workforce Information Group and a text in various graduate programs in Management and Organizational Leadership. He is a former "behavioral specialist" at USA Today, and a regular blogger for Psychology Today. A former adjunct professor of journalism at the University of New Mexico, former columnist and reporter for USA Today and the Cincinnati Enquirer, and author of This Business of Writing (Writer’s Digest Books), he has written for the New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, Omni, Psychology Today, Christian Science Monitor, Reader’s Digest, and many others, as well as for corporate, promotional and television projects. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, and his website is www.gregglevoy.com Subscribe to us on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creativeentrepreneur.buzz/id897116205?mt=2 Visit our website at www.CreativeEntrepreneur.Buzz Write us at info@creativeentrepreneur.buzz

My today's guest is Gabriela Pereira. Gabriela is the Creative Director and Instigator of DIY MFA, the do-it-yourself alternative to a Masters degree in writing. She earned an MFA from The New School and has taught writing both online and at writing conferences. Her book about DIY MFA is due out in Spring, 2016 from Writer’s Digest Books. Learn more at DIYMFA.com. We spoke about writing, of course and below are the highlights of our conversation. What Gabriela Said Whenever I see a debut author launch their first book it makes me realize that magic is possible. I do believe that writing is a teachable skill. There are no accidents in writing. You should strive to reach the point when you can break the rules on purpose. There is no right or wrong way of writing because that would mean putting your brain on autopilot and following the rules. Every word should be in your writing for a reason. When you're just putting your words on a page you're creating the raw material. Putting words in a page may be a struggle. Once you've gotten yourself into a routine and into a habit of writing fairy regularly it's a lot easier to sustain that momentum. I believe that writers should write the thing that doesn't make them want  to break the computer. If you hate it - don't write it. You wanna remember the individual humans behind the numbers. Write 2B Read Closed Facebook Group Please feel free to join me and other Write 2B Read podcast listeners at our Facebook group.