Podcasts about rebel author podcast

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

Hello Everyone! Welcome back to another episode of the Writers Advice Podcast! Today is all about setting yourself up for success when it comes to creating a successful self-publishing business. These are all the systems I use to keep the process seamless and simple. So listen in and rinse and repeat to make your books bestsellers! Check out all of my books here GRAB YOURSELF A COPY OF THE AUTHORS BUSINESS JOURNAL GRAB YOURSELF A COPY OF THE WRITERS JOURNAL Check out all my downloadable writing resources Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here Grab a copy of my new dystopian release – Block Delete here. JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthor

How can you lean into intuition and curiosity to embrace discovery writing? How might serial fiction fit into your business model? KimBoo York gives her tips and more in this interview. In the intro, BookVault now has integration with PayHip; 7 lessons learned from 5 years writing full-time [Sacha Black, Rebel Author Podcast]; My author […] The post Intuitive Discovery Writing And Serial Fiction With KimBoo York first appeared on The Creative Penn.

In this episode, we spoke to indie author, writing craft expert, podcaster, and all-around talented rebel author Sacha Black! Sacha is the author of several writing craft books, host of The Rebel Author Podcast, and writer of adult sapphic fantasy fiction under the pen name Ruby Roe. Sacha is also a regular speaker at author conferences around the world, and offers writing craft courses with the goal of helping authors improve their descriptive writing, craft compelling villains, write amazing side characters, and more. We had such a great time chatting with Sacha about her career as an author, what being a rebel means to her, writing non-fiction, YA series, and, most recently, a spicy sapphic romantasy series, her podcast, her pen name, how she balances two author brands and much, much more! Be sure to listen to Sacha's podcast, The Rebel Author Podcast, and learn more about her exciting new sapphic fantasy romance series, the Kingdom of Immortal Lovers Trilogy, written as Ruby Roe. Find Sacha Black on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, and be sure to follow Ruby Roe on TikTok!

Hello Fabulous Writers! Welcome back to another episode of the Writers Advice Podcast! This is our first solo advice episode, where i touch on some pieces of advice that have been given by other authors and go more in depth on the how-to apply the advice to your own writing and career. Or like this episode, I completely flip the script. This episode is breaking down the common advice that is given on a lot of writing platforms. Which is choosing to write to market if you want to break into your genre. I don't believe this is always necassary, and here is my spin on the advice. Enjoy! Check out all of my books here GRAB YOURSELF A COPY OF THE WRITERS JOURNAL Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here Grab a copy of my new dystopian release – Block Delete here. JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthor

The Writers Advice Podcast is bought to you by Booksprout. Booksprout is my go-to platform to share my stories with readers to engage with reviewers before they are launched with the rest of the world. Head to booksprout to increase your online reviews today! This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by the fabulous Australian author, Matthew Ryan Davies On this episode Matthew and I talk about: - His journey to becoming a writer - Writing YA and the rules around YA -Switching Genres - Getting an Agent - Getting Optioned for television - His New Relase, The Broken Wave -And all his advice for writers Check out all of Mathew's Books here GRAB YOURSELF A COPY OF THE WRITERS JOURNAL Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here Grab a copy of my new dystopian release – Block Delete here. JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Matthew:Instagram: @matthewryandaviesWebsite: matthewryandavies.com To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthor

Can you guess the authors that I have included into this weeks Best Of episode, if you can send me a message on facebook or instagram @oliviahillierauthor to win yourself a copy of the Writers Journal! GRAB YOURSELF A COPY OF THE WRITERS JOURNAL Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here Grab a copy of my new dystopian release – Block Delete here. JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthor

The Writers Advice Podcast is bought to you by Booksprout. Booksprout is my go-to platform to share my stories with readers to engage with reviewers before they are launched with the rest of the world. Head to booksprout to increase your online reviews today! This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by author, Wendy Walker. On this episode Wendy and I talk about: - Her journey to becoming an author - Living a life of creativity and cultivating ideas - Building a business and career in writing - Writing suspense and creating a Thrilling ARC - And all her advice for writers Check out all of Wendy's work here Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here Grab a copy of my new dystopian release – Block Delete here. JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Wendy:Instagram: @wendywalkerauthorWebsite: wendywalkerbooks.com To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthor

A big thank you to all of my lovely patrons. If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack 

The Writers Advice Podcast is bought to you by Booksprout. Booksprout is my go-to platform to share my stories with readers to engage with reviewers before they are launched with the rest of the world. Head to booksprout to increase your online reviews today! Or start reading my YA dystopian series through booksprout now! This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by Screenwriter, Blogger, Podcaster & Author Brock Swinston! On this episode Brock and I talk about: - How his writing and interview career began - We chat about all the people that he has interviewed through the Creative Screenwriting Blog & his podcast the Creative Principles Podcast. - His new book Ink by The Barrel and how you can grab yourself a free copy – link below. - The importance of accountability - His upcoming documentary! - And all of his advice for writers Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Brock:Sign up to his mailing list here: Ink by the Barrel - Brock SwinsonGrab yourself a copy of Ink by the Barrel here: Ink by the Barrel - Brock Swinson To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by the fabulous romance author Mia Sheridan On this episode Mia and I talk about: -Her journey through writing & publication - Moving from indie publishing to traditional -Finding inspiration & creating romance stories -Committing to yourself and the craft of writing - Becoming a new york times best seller - The Booktok phenomonon -Rewriting your work - And all her advice for up and coming authors Dive into all of Mia's books here. Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Mia:Instagram: @miasheridanauthorWebsite: miasheridan.com To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by romantic comedy author, Genevieve Novak. On this episode Genevive and I talk about: -Her journey through writing & publication -Pitching to publishers -Finding inspiration -Committing to yourself and the craft of writing -Turning life into stories -Creating full and relatble characters -We dive into her book 'No Hard Feelings' how it came to life and what to expect from her new release, Crushing. Dive into all of Genevieve's books here. Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Genevieve:Instagram: @genevieve.nvkWebsite: genevievenovak.com To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by Children's book & Young Adult Author, Kelly Wilson. On this episode Kelly and I talk about: -Her journey through writing & publication -Pitching to publishers -Switching from childrens books to young adult fiction -Turning life events into stories -Creating full characters -Educating through fiction Dive into all of Kelly's books here. Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Kelly:Instagram: @kelly.wilsonwingsforgrace To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why accessibility is important What is assistive technology Easy ways to make our content more accessible How to use alt text The four main principles of accessibility This week's question is: Tell me something interesting you've learned this year. Recommendation of the week is: Guava Flavored Lies by JJ Arias Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Find out more about Jeff, Michele and accessible content: Content For Everyone Buy the Book Here Color Contrast Checker Rebel of the Week is: Angel Ackerman If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com 1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Wendy Karas. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack   Transcript: Sacha: This is The Rebel Author Podcast, where we talk about books, business and occasionally bad words. Hello rebels, and welcome to episode 180. Today, I'm talking to Jeff and Michele all about accessible content and making our books, our social media, our websites more accessible for more readers. But first to last week's question, which was: what book has gotten you out of a reading slump? Carrie says, "I'm still in a slump. I'm always so tired by the time I have time to read that I can read a few pages before I shut down. I think I need an audible subscription again." Heather says, "The book that recently got me out of reading slump was the rage read that was Iron Widow, and it was just what I needed." Claire said, "Another Stupid Love Song by Miranda McLeod and Em Stevens. Last summer, I was racially abused on my way home and followed to the train station by a group of white man." I'm already fucking livid reading this. "It was really traumatic, and I fell into a deep depression afterwards. Stopped going out, stopped writing and reading." I hate reading this. I'm so sorry. "But then I saw Miranda mention that she had a new age gap romance. And the part of me that felt curious about stories began to wake up when I started reading the straightforward writing style, fast pacing and promise of a happily ever after made a good book to start with." I seriously don't know what the fuck is wrong with people. Like, I'm not going to get into a whole load of politics and opinions right now, but just know that reading that made me really crass, and I'm really sorry that you experienced that. I'm really really glad that reading and story and happy ever afters have helped you to at least heal a little bit from that experience. This week's question is: tell me something interesting that you've learned this year. We are heading towards the end of the first quarter. What the fuck? And so I want to know, what have you learned this year? It could be something small. It could be something not at all about writing. It could be anything really. So yeah, it can be about yourself as well. Let me know what you have learned about something this year. Okay, the book recommendation of the week this week is Guava Flavored Lies by JJ Arias. JJ is a fuckin master of bickering. This is the same JJ who interviewed me in the Ruby Roe launch episode. And JJ is coming on the show. We are literally just in the process of booking a date. Oh my god, I had the pleasure of reading Guava Flavored Lies in audio, and it was so good. It was the breath of fresh air that I needed. And okay, so let me tell you about it instead of just keep fucking ranting about how good it is. It's a contemporary romance, sapphic romance, contemporary sapphic romance with two Cuban families rowing. They've got a shit ton of like history, familial history, and like generational arguments between them. They're both pastry chef families and they own like pastry shops. The bickering went back to school girl days, and I've just never read anything where the bickering was so real and so funny and so brilliant. And I just like I literally laughed, and I don't know, I don't know. I think it actually will go down as my favorite contemporary romance that I've ever read. I loved it that much. It's kind of rivals to lovers as well. Yeah, enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers. Probably rivals to lovers, I would say. Just because there are no like stabbing knives. But it is just fantastic. So if you are looking for an example of dialogue that is sharp as fuck, and bickering that is just fantastic between two love interests, this is the story for you. I highly, highly recommend this book. Of course, links will be in the show notes. So in personal news and updates, I'm sick again. Literally can't fucking believe it. Woke up a couple of days ago feeling like rough as a dog, and I just honestly, I really want this to be a positive episode. I hate being whiny, you know what I'm like, I like to charge forward at 1000 miles per hour all of the time, and always look to the goal, to the future, to the whatever. I just, I'm struggling this week. It is a struggle. I am exhausted again. And I genuinely don't think it's any one thing in my life particularly, I just think it is the fact that it's all combined. And I really need to fucking slow down or like, not slow down, but just like take something off my plate before I crash and burn, because I sort of feel like this is a mini physical burnout. I have decided to reduce boot camps slightly. Instead of going five times a week, I'm gonna go three times a week for now. And I'm going to move one of those to the weekend so that I get a little bit more time in the week during the working days so that I can, you know, not work in the evenings so much. But yeah, I'm really over being sick this year. It is alarm bells to me. I am acutely aware that this is a problem and that I need to have a holiday or take some time off. The problem is I'm really shit at taking time off at home because my office is at home. So, you know, that's why I like to travel because then the office isn't here, the temptation isn't here. It's probably a very privileged thing to say. But you know, I do struggle to take time off at home. It just is what it is. It's a fact. So that's kind of where I'm at. Yeah, I don't feel well, and I would like to not be working today, if I'm honest. But there are things that need doing and things that have deadlines. So on I go. In terms of what I've been working on, I have started The Villains Journey. I'm super excited. I have been trying Rachel's method, which I know you guys will have heard about last week on The Black Herron. Oh, no, no. So for those listening on the podcast, you won't have heard about this yet. But for those on Patreon, you will have heard about it. So in the coming episode, Rachel and I discussed the fact that she started writing 500 new words a day on anything. They can be any project. And I was like, oh, that's amazing. And basically, if you do it every single day of the year, I think it's about 182,000 words a year. That's like three books, or more if you write nonfiction and shorter word counts. And I'm not going to do it every single day, I'm just trying to do it every working day. And so yeah, I have started The Villains Journey, and I'm already 3000 words in. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm not supposed to start writing this until May, you know, and at this rate, I can go to May with about 20k in the bag. So feels like a lot to me. I'm very, very happy. I'm about 19,000 words into the second Girl Games book. This is the one that I already had 30k in, but no, as you know, I more or less scrapped it. I have salvage some of the stuff from the first version, and so yeah, I'm 19,000 words into the book. I've been doing about 5000-word days, which is great. And using a write to sprint in the morning, and that's really been helping. So yeah, I feel pretty good about the writing projects. And it's really nice to be writing words. I find that I get to a point where I'm exhausted and don't want to write anymore, probably because I burned so hard, and then I like get very sick and tired of doing the marketing or the entity or whatever it is, and want to go back to doing the drafting. So it's a good schedule to have to be able to switch between the two. So when you hear this, it will be my birthday week. And I am considering, given that I'm not feeling very well, that I might take a couple of days off. I don't know, we'll see. I would like to go down to London and go to the Big Waterstones and like spend some time in there, but we'll see. I don't know whether or not I'll actually get to do that. But it would be nice to, so we'll see. You know, given that I'm not feeling very well, I think that is probably everything that I'm going to update you with this week. So the rebel of the week this week is, and I have to say, I did pause for a second and have to reread the name, It's Angel Ackerman, which when you write it and you read quickly, very much read as Angela Ackerman. Not Angela Ackerman, ladies and gentlemen, it's definitely Angel Ackerman. So let me read Angel's story to you. "I work in the Stitch Fix warehouse in Pennsylvania folding clothes for eight hours a day. I'm a former journalist and needed a low stress job that could allow me time and energy to pursue my own creative interests. At the warehouse, which Stitch Fix refers to as Hizzies, with cute names for each, we are the Buzzy Hizzy, but there is also the breezy, the hoozy, the dizzy, and the fizzy. I'm allowed to listen to podcasts, and so as a writer, I discovered The Rebel Author podcast and many others in the industry. "I have racked my brain trying to capture a rebel story from memory and suddenly I realized my whole creative side hustle is rebellion. I founded Parisian Phoenix Publishing in 2021 as the brand behind my paranormal women's fiction series, Fashion and Fiends, debuting with the first volume, Manipulations, in September of that year. "One of my best friends is a graphic designer with an obsession with typography. In her first job as a graphic design professor had invented the name and logo for the company and a complete boxset of the novels in 2008, just to have something to submit for the faculty art show. At the time, I was shopping my novels to traditional publishers and agents, attending conferences and serving on the board of my local writers group. Motherhood prevented me from giving proper effort to that, and the book industry was changing so much in the aughts. "When the pandemic happened, I thought it would be fun and rebellious to self-publish preserve these stories for my now teen daughter. But the project barrel rolled into a full-fledged craft press as more people asked me to publish their books. I asked fellow writers and artists for help with projects being proposed because linking creative communities is one of our goals. "As of 2023 Parisian Phoenix has nine published books ranging from an anthology of marginalized voices, LGBTQ disability, mental health, body image, ethnicity, etc., to a romantic comedy with original photographs, a devotional focusing on how to protect yourself in a violent modern world without violating your Christian values in production, and an 11th book of short stories in the editing phase. Not to mention, poetry, a holocaust memoir, and nostalgic fiction. "Each book seems to host its own rebellion. Our tagline is: publishing unique voices and diverse perspectives. And many of our staff members and peer review board members have disabilities. I have cerebral palsy. My assistant editor has been blind since birth. And we have primarily women on board." This is an awesome, awesome rebellion. And yeah, look up Parisian Phoenix if you are interested in finding out more about them. I think this is such a cool rebellion, and the fact that you are creating communities and collecting people and helping to bring diverse voices into the world is just fantastic. So I absofuckinglutely love that rebellion. And also thank you for listening. If you would like to be a rebel of the week, please do send in your story. It can be any kind of rebellion, something big, something small, or something in between. You can email your rebel story to Becca over on rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com. A huge welcome and a warm thank you to new patron Wendy Karis. And of course, a gigantic thank you to all of my existing patrons. You guys help keep the show running. You make me feel like what I do is worthwhile and having a wonderful impact, so I really, really appreciate each and every single one of you. If you would like to support the show and get early access to all of the episodes, as well as a ton of bonus content, then you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting patreon.com/sachablack. Okay, that's it from me this week. Let's get on with the episode. Hello, and welcome to The Rebel Author Podcast. We are in for a special treat today because we have not one, but two guests on the show. First, we have Jeff Adams. Jeff is a creative entrepreneur, as an author of both queer romances and young adult fiction, as well as the co-host of The Big Gay Fiction Podcast. In his day job, Jeff's a certified professional and accessibility core competencies by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. As the Accessibility Operations Director for UsableNet, a company focused on making the digital world more accessible and usable, he consults with clients around the world about digital accessibility. Next up we have Michele Lucchini. Michele is the Vice President of Delivery and Accessibility Operations for UsableNet and overseas the teams responsible for ensuring client success in their digital accessibility program. Michele's background is rooted in software development first, and moving to team and operation management later. Thanks to experience gathered in over two decades, Michele is an expert at helping companies from the largest to the smallest, making their digital experiences accessible. Hello, and welcome. Jeff: Thanks for having us, Sacha. It's great to be here. Sacha: So Jeff, you were first on the show back in episode 55, which I can't actually believe because that was October 2020. Jeff: It feels like a year ago, like years and years and years ago. Sacha: I know. I know. I mean, honestly, time is a lie. I was texting one of my friends this evening who was talking about the movie, Everything Everywhere... Jeff: Everything Everywhere All at Once, I think. Sacha: Yes, that one. And I was like, "Oh yeah, yeah, that was out like three years ago." And she was like, "Oh, actually, no, it's up for the Oscars now." And I was like, "Wait, what? No, no, no. It could not possibly have been out last year." Though it was. Yeah, time is a lie. It's weird. So normally I ask people like what their journey is, how they came to writing the book. But I'm gonna ask you first of all, like, what have you been up to since then? Because obviously, we know like your journey from the first episode, which I'll link in the show notes. Jeff: It's interesting as I went back to look at 55, and like what was going on in October of 2020. Like, within the month before you dropped that episode, so between the time we talked for that interview and you dropped the episode, we actually ended The Big Gay Author Podcast, which is one of the things we were talking about on that show. Mostly, because with pandemic and other things that were going on, like some of our priorities shifted, and it's like, we weren't sure that show was really relevant anymore. So as it's so popular, now, we learned how to say no and learned when to end something, and put that aside. Big Gay Fiction Podcast continues on. It went into its eighth year last November, so we're 400+ episodes now there. So that's been exciting. I've written the book we're about to talk about. And the neat thing about that, I think, is writing this nonfiction book, I think has resparked my fiction side a little bit, because I've been really stagnant over the last couple of years. I've done some rereleases of some things I got the rights back on, but writing new stuff has really been a struggle. So my fingers crossed, that the nonfiction kind of broke that kind of cloud over my head, if you will, and I'm gonna be able to hopefully get some new fiction out this year. Sacha: I always find nonfiction is a real palate cleanser. Like I adore fiction, but I definitely need to also write nonfiction, because it gets me excited to go back to the fiction. Otherwise, I do tend to find it's a bit of a burn. So Michele, have you written other books? Or is this your first one? Or? Michele: That's the very first one. Sacha: That's exciting. Michele: The last thing I wrote was my thesis at the university. And that was far from exciting. Well, actually, it was in home automation, so it was actually an interesting topic. But I've always loved writing, but I never dedicated myself enough to call myself like a producer or a writer of a proper book. Sacha: So before we dive into the questions like about the book, then how did you find writing, and writing together? Like what was the experience like for you? Michele: Well, let's also consider that it's not my mother language, right. So it was an extremely interesting experience. So I had the opportunity to learn on many different threads. So one is the challenge of transferring something that is my daily job knowledge, and the knowledge that has been built across 22 years, that I would use the word dedicate to this topic. Plus, learning the ability to put in words for somebody who is not an expert. One of the limits that I realize I have is that sometimes when you gather so much experience, you can lose the ability to explain and translate it in easy terms. I think that Jeff has experienced the same. I remember the first iteration of our review process, we were asking ourselves, does it make any sense for somebody if it's their first time approaching the topic of accessibility? So it was an interesting learning curve, but it was what made all the project extremely interesting for me. Sacha: Well, you both absolutely smashed it because it's the most meta book possible. For a book on accessibility, it's extremely accessible for someone who knows nothing about it. So you absolutely smashed it out of the park. So well done, both of you. And that is what we're here to talk about. And your new book is called Content for Everyone. And it focuses on the topic of accessibility. So before we dive into some more technical, practical tips and tricks, like why accessibility? What made you want to write a book on this topic? And why is it so important, particularly for the authors and writers listening? Jeff: The whole thing kind of became this big smashing together of my day job in accessibility. But the things that I do on the creative side, so even before the book was kind of a seed in my head to do, I was trying to make sure that my sites, my email, my social media, were as accessible as I could make them. You know, because I'm not technical. Knowing what you need to do and actually being able to do it can be two different things, you know. So, moving through this, and as I talked about content accessibility all the time, it's one of the things I trained UsableNet clients about, is that very topic. It's so in my brain, I can't not see issues almost everywhere I go on the net. No alt text on Facebook, bad color combinations here, things that don't work with keyboard. You know, all these things just keep being in front of me. And I know that nobody sets out to do that. You know, nobody sets out to make inaccessible content that can exclude, potentially, a lot of people. They just don't know what to do. And they don't know what the topic is. So it's like, why don't I try to create something that distills what you can work on, and also to a degree, things to watch out for, because there are things in the book that are--and keyboard navigation is a great example of this, and we'll probably talk about a little bit more about that piece of it later. But you're not going to fix your own keyboard navigation issues, but if you know you have them, you might get a new template or do something to start to mitigate those problems. And so that's kind of where it started. And then one day, as I was talking with Michele, as we do all the time, I was like, I'm gonna write this book. And he was interested, so we decided to kind of tackle it together. Sacha: I love this so much. And like, I think it was such a humbling experience for me to read as well, because my stepfather is disabled, and he uses a wheelchair. And so I have a reasonable amount of knowledge about accessibility in terms of like mobility and physical issues. And so I kind of went into the book thinking, oh, yeah, like, I'm gonna understand. Holy moly, I was so ignorant of digital issues. Like all of the bits and bobs, like on social media. Like just things that I wouldn't even have thought would be an issue. And that's what I love so much about this book is I genuinely feel like every single person listening to this podcast will go away having learned something. So I think it's really important that listeners do go and educate themselves, and buy your book, I read your book, because it's fucking brilliant. So in your book, one of the things that you talk about are the four main types of disability. And I think it'd be helpful for listeners to understand what they are to give some context to the rest of the podcast. And I don't know if you are able just to give some like references to a couple of the numbers, which were really quite significant. And I was quite shocked when I read it and saw some of those stats. You know, and by that, I mean, sort of how many people are affected by disability. So yeah, because this is an important topic. Michele: Yeah, it is. And numbers are shocking. And I think that we can identify four main categories of disabilities, which is mobility. And this is the largest group, so over 13%, almost 14%, of US population as some mobility impairment. So translated into a digital experience, it could be something preventing the user to use emails, or a regular pointing device. The second category is the cognitive disability. And here we are talking about over 10% of the US population. Any cognitive disorder, it could be learning difficulties, dyslexia, and I'm not just talking about very, very bad disabilities, but just simple conditions that are not preventing an individual to conduct a normal life. The third category is the auditory ability. The count is around 6% of the population. And the auditory disability is any form of hearing loss. And last but not least, is the visual disability. Here we are around 5% of the population. So within the visual disability, of course, we include the blind individual categories, but we might have any kind of low vision, color blindness, contrast deficits, and all impairments that are preventing a user to be able to see colors or transfer the content as the mainstream, which is a word I hate and a concept I hate, will experience on this side. There is one more, in my opinion, a shocking number. Beside the fact that with easy math, we are seeing that 20% of the population as a sort of disability. 20% of your audience, your customers potentially have a sort of visibility. But in these 20%, we're not counting all the temporary impairments. So somebody that broke his arm, somebody that is using his mobile phone under the sunlight, and the sun is hitting the screen and he's not able to see as well as he'd be able to see the screen in the dark. We are now also considering that the age of the digital population is increasing year after a year. I always use an example, so my dad is 74. He is active, smart, quick. His expectation is to keep interacting with his mobile phone, for example, as it is right now. Why should he accept that as his sight is becoming a little bit lower, as his precision with the movements might degredate. In the course of the years, he won't be able to use his phone, he won't be able to do what he's doing with his computer. So that becomes a basic expectation. So we need to take that in consideration. So that 20%, actually, is much, much more if we are considering all the, let's call them disability induced by the context of use. Or simply the population getting older. Sacha: I think one of the things that I found enlightening is the term assistive technology and what that captures. Because I think many of us are actually using some of these technologies without even realizing that actually, they are tools that help those people who do have accessibility issues. I know I certainly was like, oh, you know, I was just using this because this is a handy thing. And actually, they're integral to ensure that our content is accessible for everybody. So I wondered if you could talk about what assistive technology is and give some like examples, just to put it into context. Jeff: Yeah, absolutely. It's something that, as you noted, we use it every day and don't even think about it. You and I are wearing assistive technology right now, Sacha, because we're both in glasses. Think about what you would not be able to see if you didn't have your glasses on. Sacha: I really couldn't. Jeff: You know, it'd be a mess. Using speech to text technology, I think we use it all the time. Authors certainly use it a lot to dictate their manuscripts. You know, if you're dictating a text to your phone, and then sending it that way, or interacting with any home assistant, that's part of it. But also for some people who maybe are restricted in the mobility area, they may use speech to text of that kind to literally navigate the web. And that would be what they'd use in place of a mouse is speaking to the computer. The keyboard itself is a big assistive tool for some people, because theoretically, you know, by the rules of accessibility, you should be able to interact with the site completely on your keyboard, without interacting with the mouse at all. So things like that, you know, are some of the high level things. But then each of our computers, if we're on any kind of, you know, modern Mac or Windows machine, or if we're using Android or iOS phones and tablets, all of those have a huge array of accessibility things built right into them. Whether it's a screen reader, Zoom technology, more around voice to text, a whole bunch of things. And I would really encourage people to look in their settings for their computer and their devices just to see the long list of things that are present that people could use to be interacting with their digital content. Sacha: So like what is the consequence of this to authors if they don't engage with making their content accessible? Michele: I think that the easiest to perceive consequence is they may leave out of the door a good portion of a potential audience or potential customers. But besides the numbers, beside the, let's say, business aspect, I like to think about the impact on potential reputation. Michele: The impact on the idea that the audience, the customer, might have on just ignoring categories of people. So we need to, I think that it is time for us to all get sensitized on the fact that we need to build a more inclusive world. I mean, it is everyone's responsibility, it is not Jeff's, it is not Michele's, it is not Sacha's responsibility only. It is not an expert's responsibility only. Everyone can provide a contribution. So, in my opinion, the impact on the reputation is probably getting to be the most prominent one. And this is what my advice is. Jeff: If you think about the whole idea that not doing this excludes people, and of course, I think all of us creatives really want to be about inclusion. We talk in the book, we talked to four different people in the book who have different disabilities, and in some cases, different multiple disabilities. And one of the things that struck me was speaking to one of my fellow authors in the queer romance space. They were trying to interact with courses, you know, there's a whole array of courses available to independent authors for ads, and for marketing here, and marketing there, and writing craft and all these things. And repeatedly, they are not finding courses where like the live courses don't have live captions through whatever venue it is. And certainly Zoom is really good at live captions for any call that you're doing there. But even in the replays, captions or transcripts weren't available. So they either, you know, don't get to interact with the training at all because they're deaf and hard of hearing. I mean, they've got hearing aids, but those only give them about 30 - 40% of the full picture. So they either strain to hear that content, and try to work on it, which of course is taxing and tiring, or they abandon it all together. And they really feel like they're not getting information that other authors get because, you know, they're not included in that experience. Sacha: Yeah, transcripts is a real sticking point for me, because when I first started the podcast, I used to do transcripts for the show. But at moment, I only have school working hours, and you know, each transcript for an episode is a two hour job. You know, when you do four a month, that's a whole lot. That's more than one working day, and I just can't afford the time. But it is something that I provide for courses. And I do try to make sure I do video audio transcript, and you know, all of that stuff. It's very frustrating for me because I would like to have the sort of AI transcription software be more accurate because I can't just transcribe and leave it and put it up because there are things still that don't make sense. It's not accurate enough. And obviously, outsourcing, it's costly. So that's one of the things for me that I know that I could change, and I would really like to change. But obviously, it's a costly exercise one way or the or another. So we know that it's important to make sure our books and websites and social media are accessible to everyone. So what are some easy wins that people could take away from this episode? Anything practical that we could do to make our content more accessible? Jeff: You kind of hit on one of the things there in what you just said around auto generated. Auto generated anything doesn't make it accessible. Auto generated transcripts or captions are just riddled with mistakes. They come close, they're about 95% of the way there, and they're a great point to start the editing process, but they're not complete. And they will leave your audience feeling the same way, like if you just put out a first draft of a book without any copy editing and without any fixes to it. That's also true for alternative text because Facebook and Instagram, for example, will put alt text on anything you upload to it, and it's horrible. It'll be like, "might be one person standing outside with a beard," because they've got a beard on their face. And they'll just kind of tag that on the end. And it'll also try to read any text that's actually in the image. And if you think about those very popular book promo graphics right now with the book in the middle and all the little arrows pointing with like tropes and plot points and stuff. Sacha: I posted one of those today. Jeff: The AI will actually read left to right, trying to read each line of that, including the book title and the bylines, and present that. That's what Facebook offers. So you need to make sure on social that you're cleaning up the alt text that's present there so that it's not just some real garbage that's sitting there. Then another key I would give, knowing how everybody loves to use emojis, really limit the use of them. Like put them at the end to like finish the punctuation on a post or a sentence or something. Don't start with them, because especially for screen readers, each emoji has its own thing that it reads out, that may not be the context that you want it to be. Don't put emojis between the words for the same reason. Also you think about cognitively disabled people and emojis as well. The context and the way you want those to be perceived, if somebody is already having to parse the words you're putting in there because maybe they're dyslexic and they need a very clean line of text, or some other cognitive disability, you're just making it that much harder for them to get the message that you're trying to give because you're trying to add some visual sparkle with the emojis. So I would say that those are my three quick hits on some things that can start to make the content more accessible. Sacha: Yeah, I still remember the first time somebody asked me to put captions on my stories. And as far as I'm aware, they have no accessibility issues, but they used to watch my stories at work, and they couldn't watch them with sound on. I was like, "oh," and I was like, "yeah, sure, I can do that." And then, obviously, there were other comments from other people who were like, "Oh, actually, now I can like watch your story, like watch/read your stories." And like, that was a real eye opener. I just think so much of this is just pure, like, what's the word? Not nefarious, but it is still ignorance. You know, it's just accidental ignorance in a way. But the emojis, I definitely do far too many emojis and I am going to make an effort to make sure they're at the end instead. I definitely start with emojis, I put them in the middle, you don't even think about it. So yeah, now I will be thinking about it going forward. Okay, so you've just mentioned alt text there. But I wondered if you could give me an example of what good alt text is because I do some freelance work managing a blog, and I know that when we have pictures, we're supposed to put alt text on there. I never really know what it is I am supposed to be describing or what I'm supposed to be putting into the alt text sections. So like, how do I know where I'm supposed to use it and when it's not actually needed? And how do I know what a good sentence is to put in there? Michele: Somebody says that finding the right alt text is like an art. And I actually agree with that. There is no magic recipe to define a good alternative text. We always recommend it is important to understand what role an image plays within the context. The context of what? It could be the context of the page, the context of the message we are communicating. So in the case an image is purely decorative, you're just using an image as a sort of placeholder, an extremely nice placeholder, but it's only conveying a decorative meaning, in that case, your alternative tags should be empty. It does not mean that you don't have to put the alt attribute, because if you don't, assistive technology will read the file name of the image, making it very difficult to understand for the final user. But setting the alternative tax as an empty, the assistive technology will know that that image will need to be ignored. So it won't be read. Instead, if the image is conveying a message, an important message, you should describe it with the right message. I mean it was funny for us, not in the context that we found the issue, it was the classic search icon, the magnifier lens, and so the site we were reviewing had, as an alternative text of the magnifier lengths, magnifier length. Instead, there was supposed to be search, because the function of the image was search, it was not magnifying something. So you can just imagine how confusing would have been the experience of a blind user using a screen reader that was hearing that there was an input text field on the page, so maybe that is what I can use to search something, and then magnifier lens. When you experience that, people with disabilities now have a bad website. With very little effort, you can fix it, you can make your site more accessible and more meaningful to everyone. Sacha: Yeah, that's so interesting, because obviously, you derive meaning from seeing the image, but actually, it's the function of the image that's the important bit. I think that's a fantastic bit of learning for everybody to take away. One of the other things you talk about in the book are the four main principles of accessibility on a website. And I think these are things that authors should be aware of. So I wondered if you could just briefly go over them. Michele: Yeah, sure. The web content accessibility guideline, which is the sort of Bible to determine whether a digital property is accessible or not, are four. And actually, those four principles also apply to everyday object accessibility. So the first one is perceivable. It means that any user must be able to perceive the content and the interface of your website. So we just did the example around the alternative text, that falls under the perceivable principle. The second principle is operable. So it requires to provide the ability for all users, independently by their abilities, to operate with user interface. The classic example is, let's consider a motor impairment, and it prevents the user to interact with the mouse. So the site must provide the ability for the user to use just the keyboard to interact and browse the site. The third principle is understandable, which probably is the easiest to understand. So the interface and the content must be understandable to the user. This actually, on some of these success criteria, it becomes extremely interesting because it also covers cultural disabilities. So the use of an easy language and all these aspects are, I think, extremely interesting for authors. And last but not least, is the final principle, which is the robust. It is probably the most technical principle that is included into the guideline, but it is all about respecting the standards, and respecting the core compatibility. One of the things that we always have to remember is that users with disabilities are massively relying on their system. So they are probably not upgrading them 30 seconds after the operative system notifies us that there is an upgrade ready to be installed. They don't do that because the risk of losing the ability to, for example, have the system working as it was working before, it might generate a big problem. Imagine a blind user that relies on his computer or any screen reader to order the food, to book the train ticket, to book a taxi. If after the upgrade, it won't work anymore or won't work as it was working before, considering that learning how to use a screen reader is probably a multiyear experience. Sacha: I find that so interesting. Actually, that's going to make me slightly more empathetic, I think. So with my stepdad, we often help like change bills over and do things like internet swap over, but there's a lot of resistance to like upgrading. And I was like, you need better internet, like you need it. And, you know, I wasn't particularly empathetic about it, but actually I get it now. I get it. Yeah, I can understand because so much is reliant on the existing system. And I'm just like, yeah, well, we can change it and upgrade it and make it better. But actually, when there are so many systems, you know, phone systems and call systems and nurse systems that are based on it, I can understand why there's that resistance and reluctance to change it. And so yeah, thank you for that. Now, I'm not very empathetic person, but I'm going to try very hard now to be better. Yeah, thank you. I've read the book and learned so much and I'm still learning even more. This is a fantastic interview. Thank you, guys. One of the things, speaking of, that I learned was that using color to differentiate isn't always helpful, which blew my mind because I am an extremely visual person, and I actually rely on color to learn. Like when I was studying at university, I would put my psychology studies in certain colors, so that I could close my eyes and picture like my big brainstorm thing, like with all the different colors on it, and then I'd remember the numbers and the words and the authors and things. And so that helps me to categorize and it's how I find books on my bookshelf. And I was ignorant of, obviously, the fact that that's a huge problem for people who are colorblind. So what are some of the things that those of us who are able bodied take for granted that you wish that we would change? Michele: Yeah, relying on color to convey information is probably one of those. Just the color is not enough, you should use something else. Let's do an easy example. So imagine that the style that you have on your website highlights the links only with the color. Let's also make sure the links are underlined, which is the standard, let's say link style, because otherwise, people might not be able to perceive the difference between the link and the plain text. The same when you are providing instructions on how to do something. Recently, I've seen a sign that was suggesting to use the red button. But what if I'm using my interface only on a scale of gray? I will not be able to perceive what is the red button, and I will not be able to distinguish between the other buttons. So again, it is not necessarily a hyper technical aspect, it is the ability to start understanding which are the difficulties. And these are difficulties that you might be able to perceive, not just on the web, but on the everyday life. So this is, I think, one of the nicest thing around accessibility, that when you start learning, and Sacha, you confirmed that before, right? When you start learning it on a field, then you naturally apply it to a number of different fields. And the use of colors is a classic one that you can find on books, guides, instructions, websites, on Facebook post. It is a very popular mistake. Sacha: I think it's so natural for so many of us to, you know, we go through the world with our own rose tinted spectacles on. We go through the world with our own experience. And so often we take that for granted that that's everybody's experience. And it's not. And that's why this is so important because none of us are perfect. We all have things to learn. And I think as long as we are open to being humble, and to putting our hands up and say, "Actually, yeah, I had no idea. I'm going to change that now." I think that's one of the magical things about your book is that you say throughout it that nobody's expecting you to do everything in this book immediately. You can do one little thing this month, another thing next month, you know. And I think that's what's so encouraging because I actually left the book very motivated to try and fix some of these things. Jeff: The thing to remember, and you kind of touched on it there, that we tell you, you don't have to do everything, but it's also a mindset of progress over perfection. It's one of the big things talked about among all the advocates in this space, because you can't do everything all at once. And especially for who we're talking to here, which is really creative entrepreneurs, probably little to no technical experience, working with little to no budget, you know, maybe if they're lucky, a PA who helps with this stuff. But to know you can choose to do nothing on your existing content and always do better going forward, those little things add up. You don't want this to feel like a crushing like, oh god, now I've got two thousand other things to go do. Baby steps, parse out what you're gonna do, what you think the most important thing is, and just do something. Yeah. Sacha: And like, speaking of doing something, I think one of the things that authors spend a lot of their marketing time on is social media. So what are some of the things that we can do to be more inclusive and accessible on social media? Jeff: Really think about that emoji use. I mean, I will tie back to that, because emojis is one of the places that I think most people, if they're going to abuse emojis, it's abuse on social. Put them at the end of the post, don't bury them in the middle of it, so that your message comes through. And that's really what I look at in every instance when I'm thinking about social. It's let's make sure the message you're giving actually comes through. Instagram stories and TikTok, when you can add your own text to those, make sure you're using text that's actually big enough to read. Those stories, you can't pinch and zoom and do all that stuff. And there's so many Instagrams, people type these big, long missives on their Instagram stories, and it's really teeny, tiny text, and I'm like, I have no idea. And if I am not reading it with my glasses on, it's like, yeah, you're gonna lower your interaction with that. Make it bigger text, more screens, whatever that takes to get that across. The same thing when you're doing caption fonts, like I love your caption fonts when you're doing your stories. It's good, big text. I think I could read that with my glasses off, perhaps, which is great. Think about how you're using images and what you're doing with them. Images of text are used a lot, and you know, they're catchy, like those graphics we talked about with all the arrows pointing to the books. But make sure that that message is coming out into the post itself. Because, you know, we talked about using alt text, which is great, but there are people with low vision, who aren't going to use the screen reader to get to the alt text. So for that book example, all of those little pop points that are running around the outside of the book, make that part of the post in a sentence format. You know, "this book features these things," so that it's equivalent information presented. That comes back to the perceivable principle that Michele mentioned. Different people perceive in different ways, so make sure the content is available in all those different perceivable ways. Sacha: So I got halfway there with that trope's post because I put the tropes in the caption, but then I put a tick emoji by each one. I was so close. Michele: You need to read the book again. Sacha: Clearly, I do. Okay, last sort of major question then. Talk to me about font. You've mentioned font, about having it large in captions, but also there are things that we should know about choosing font for our websites or for our books or social media where possible. Jeff: I would say this is less about books and book covers because that's going to the brand and the feel of the book, and that kind of thing. And the book cover itself is really art. And yes, there are certain things you could do, but you don't want to like take away from the feel of your cover for that. When you're promoting the book, you want the text around that art to be properly accessible and stuff. You can't really adjust the font on aspects of social. You've got some font choices on stories and areas like that. But if you're gonna look at font families, for example, like Tahoma, Times New Roman, Verdana, and to a large degree, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, those are generally well accessible fonts because the things that you're looking for are easily distinguishable letters. So a font where a lowercase L and an uppercase I and the numeral one, don't all look the same. Because then you're gonna start having people having difficulty parsing the letters if they're visually interacting with them. And then, of course, it's a good font size. So you know, well 14 size font on websites and in emails and stuff. Think about are you using on your emails, for example, a mobile friendly template so that somebody doesn't have to pinch and zoom even if you're using a big font, because it's not reformatting in the mobile window well. And if you're doing tiny text, don't go too tiny. Even if you're doing like rules for something, somebody's trying to read that. So you know, be considered about that as well. Very thin fonts, things with big flourishes in them, be wary of those. Those will be much harder for people with cognitive disabilities, potentially, to parse and low vision to parse out what those are. Coming back to like images of text and that promo graphic, if you do have swirly stuff in there because it's part of the brand feel of the book, just make sure you're getting that message in the post and in the alt text so that it's all considerable. Two other things I'll throw out about fonts, and one of these ties back to color, is color contrast. So beyond the use of color that Michele mentioned, think about the color contrast and the ability to discern what's in the background versus the foreground. So if you're thinking about text, does the text pop enough off of the background color to be readable. And I'll send you for the show notes a link to a color contrast checker that's available, you just put in the hex codes for your foreground and your background, and it's gonna tell you if it passes color contrast. It nice little sliders on it so you can darken and lighten text to find the right balance to ensure that those visually interacting can see and discern the color appropriately and not have to like work too hard on it. The last thing I'll mention around text is the alignment of the text. Centering text, especially large blocks of text, we're not talking like headlines, but large chunks of text, very cognitively draining to read because your eye is always have to find where the start of the line is. Same thing with justification because there's inconsistent spacing between words. Left justify it so that I can follow, you know, not so much with the indents because indentations are expected, but you know, start left align copy so that it's just a straight line. It makes for the easiest readability. Sacha: Yeah, do you know I've always hated center justified text and I've never really know known why. And it is actually exhausting to read it. Yeah, that's so interesting. Thank you both so, so much because I think this is a really, really important topic. And I hope that listeners, even if they're only got to go and do one thing, please do go and take one action after listening to this podcast. Well, two actions. One, read the book, and then two, take a take a practical action. But this is The Rebel Author Podcast, so tell everyone about a time you unleashed your inner rebel. And I don't mind who goes first. Jeff: I will say that I prepared better this time than the first time that we did this because I know Will I found this question to be like, oh my god, what is this even mean? I have one for this though. And I challenge everybody after they read the book to start doing this kind of same thing. And it's gently educating people about accessibility. As you learn it, pass it on. Like, even before I wrote the book, every now and then I would talk to an author colleague, a podcaster colleague, about newsletters or things that I saw that just very clearly popped out to me because of this work that I do. Like maybe think about doing this thing different than this thing, to spread the word. And I'm even more kind of out there with it now. Whether it's a colleague, or a business that I that I work with. You know, I use maybe widgets and plugins on my websites to get to make certain things happen. I'll either go look for new ones, or be like, hey, this is bad, can you do something about this place? It's all about gently. It's not about aggressively coming out of the gate and be like, oh, my God, why aren't you doing this. It's like, you may not know this, but XYZ. And that way, accessibility becomes something that we all start to think about a little more. So it's a little rebellion and it takes a little courage to just know you're gonna go reach out to somebody go, can I just give you some unsolicited advice about this? But it's all about trying to make everything more inclusive. Sacha: Yeah, absolutely. Exactly. And the more welcoming we can be, the better our community becomes, and the more, what's the word, the more appreciated our readers feel. So I love that rebellion. Michele, what about you? You've got to have a rebellion, too. Michele: I do, I do. It might be considered close to Jeff's one, but the message I want to convey is that we live in a world that relies on accessory to use something that has been just purely designed. And we need to stop. The concept of an assistive technology, or even worse, an alternative, it needs to stop. So the fact that the product that you are designing, often we see the main actor as the designer, not the user, is what causes the majority of the accessibility issues. So we need to invest something that is not necessarily related to the technology only, but in the way we speak. And I include myself, I mean, this is a message that I send to myself as well. So to be more inclusive, but in a way that we think we will learn, which could be all the difficulties, all the possible different abilities of our audience, and we try to be more inclusive, but in a way that we don't just consider that if he's not able to use my website, for sure, she will have an accessory that will make her able to. Well, it's not always like that. We can design better, we can write better, we can produce better products to be available for a wider audience. Sacha: Yeah, I love that. And I think the best marketers who are authors keep the end user being the reader at the fore of their design of their books and their marketing campaigns. And you know, they're the ones who are the most effective at this. And so I think that's an amazing rebellion. Okay, tell everyone where they can find out more about you, your book, and anything else you would like to add? Jeff: Absolutely. So you can find all about Content for Everyone at contentforeveryone.info. Information where you can get the book, we're also going to be putting up routine blog posts there to talk about examples that we've seen, news that would be of interest to creatives. So we'll start to have you know that be kind of an ongoing resource to help share even more around the book. And Content for Everyone is available everywhere, eBook, paperback, large print paperback and audiobook. And you should find that anywhere you want to pick up a book, or pick up an audio, it should be there. Sacha: Are you narrating? Jeff: I am actually, yes. Sacha: I love it. I love it. Jeff: If you want more about me, JeffAdamsWrites.com for the fiction, and BigGayFictionPodcast.com for the podcast. Sacha: Excellent. Thank you very much. Okay, well, thank you so much for your time today, and of course a gigantic thank you to all of the show's listeners and all of the show's patrons. If you'd like to get early access to all of the episodes, you can do so by visiting patreon.com/sachablack. I'm Sacha Black, you are listening to Jeff Adams and Michele Lucchini, and this was The Rebel Author Podcast. Next week I am joined by one of my fav humans, Ines Johnson, and we are going to be talking about business, processes, efficiency, and basically how she is a fucking badass author. So join me next week for that. Don't forget to tune in and subscribe on your podcatcher. And when you have a moment, please leave a review.  

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by Young Adult Paranormal & Fantasy Author, Victoria Wren. On this episode Victoria and I talk about: -His writing journey from writing his first book at fifteen, to now. -Creating a Writing Community -Taking your creativity & author business into your own hands - The inside of the indie author community - How to manage writing, publishing & all the other demands of life Dive into all of Victoria's books here. Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE To Contact Victoria:Instagram: @victoriawrenauthorWebsite: victoriawrenauthor.comTikTok: @victoria_wren To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by Dark Romance and Rom-Com Author, Sara Desai On this episode Sara and I talk about: -Her journey to becoming a writer. -Moving into becoming a full time writer -Creating a Writing Community -Managing family life & writing -Getting feedback on your work -Writing in different genres & pen names Pre-Order To Have & To Heist here Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE Also you can join my reading community and book club on patreon where for as little as $6 a month you can recieve three new chapters of my unreleased Young Adult contemporary, Paranomal and Speculative fiction books ever week! - Olivia Hillier is creating Young Adult Books | Patreon To Contact Sara:Instagram: @saradesaiwritesWebsite: saradesai.com To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by Romance Author, Renee Rose who has just released one of my favourite books ever for authors and all other creatives - Write to Riches. On this episode Renne and I talk about: -Her journey to becoming a writer. -Moving into becoming a full time writer -The power of mindset and manifestation for creativity and abundance -How to remove any blocks that are holding you back from living your dream author career -Tapping in and strengthening the vision of your abundant author future. Purchase Write To Riches here. And join Renee's abundance facebook group. Grab a copy of my Shadow & Shifter Series here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE Also you can join my reading community and book club on patreon where for as little as $6 a month you can recieve three new chapters of my unreleased Young Adult contemporary, Paranomal and Speculative fiction books ever week! - Olivia Hillier is creating Young Adult Books | Patreon To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by owner and operator of Shawline Publishing, Bradley Shaw. On this Episode Brad & I chat about: - His launch into the publishing industry -Different ways to publish -All insider take aways from the publishing industry - How to pitch to a publisher and how to find your ideal publisher Grab a copy of my latest book here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE Also you can join my reading community and book club on patreon where for as little as $6 a month you can recieve three new chapters of my unreleased Young Adult contemporary, Paranomal and Speculative fiction books ever week! - Olivia Hillier is creating Young Adult Books | Patreon To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by Women's Fiction Writer and numerous New York Times Bestselling Author, Jane Green. On this episode Jane and I talk about: -Her journey to becoming a writer. -How the publishing industry has changed over the years -What it now takes to become a bestseller -How she is changing the way we tell stories and her new venture -Her advice to all up and coming writers Listen into Jane's audio version of Rainbow Girl here Grab a copy of my latest book here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE Also you can join my reading community and book club on patreon where for as little as $6 a month you can recieve three new chapters of my unreleased Young Adult contemporary, Paranomal and Speculative fiction books ever week! - Olivia Hillier is creating Young Adult Books | Patreon To Contact Jane:Instagram: @janegreenauthorWebsite: janegreen.com To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined once again by the fabulous Natasha Piccolo, and for the start of a brand new year we dive deep into all aspects of chanelling. What it means, how to do it and how to strengthen your intuition for all of your 2023 creative projects. Grab a copy of my latest book here JOIN THE WRITERS ADVICE FACEBOOK GROUP Become a part of my ARC TEAM HERE Also you can join my reading community and book club on patreon where for as little as $6 a month you can recieve three new chapters of my unreleased Young Adult contemporary, Paranomal and Speculative fiction books ever week! - Olivia Hillier is creating Young Adult Books | Patreon To Contact Tash:Instagram: @tashspeaksWebsite: resonateholistic.com.au To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

Please enjoy this chat between Rachael Herron and Sacha Black (of The Rebel Author Podcast). Irreverent, cheeky, business-focused and always honest, you're going to love this. Get access to their chats a whole month early on Patreon! http://patreon.com/rachael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please enjoy this chat between Rachael Herron and Sacha Black (of The Rebel Author Podcast). Irreverent, cheeky, business-focused and always honest, you're going to love this. Get access to their chats a whole month early on Patreon! http://patreon.com/rachael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please enjoy the very first chat that Rachael Herron and Sacha Black (of The Rebel Author Podcast) have together. Irreverent, cheeky, and always honest, you're going to love this. Get access to their chats a whole month early on Patreon! http://patreon.com/rachael Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Writers Advice Podcast I am joined by the queen of Rom-Com's Sally Thorne. Hot off the huge success of the movie adaption of her book, The Hating Game. Sally's new book Angelika Frankenstein Meets Her Match. On this episode Sally and I talk about: - Beginning her writing journey in Fan-Fiction and building her writing community and creating contacts. - The inital idea that began The Hating Game and her brand new book - Angelika Frankenstein Meets Her Match. - The process of turning The Hating Game Into a film adaption. - Finding your voice and being the best writer you can authentically be. - Plus all of Sally's wonderful writing advice she had learnt from her incredible career. Grab a copy of one of Sally's book's here. Her brand new book Angelika Frankenstein Meets her Match is out on the 6th of September, you can preorder it now! While you're there you can grab a copy of my new book Have We Met Before? or download the free pages here. If you would like to see the full video podcast or to submit questions to our upcoming guests as well as a chance to shout out your latest work. Join us over on the Writers Advice Patreon Community - Olivia Hillier is creating Podcast & Books | Patreon To Contact Sally:Website: sallythorneauthor.comInstagram:@sallythorneauthor To Contact Me:Website: oliviahillier.comInstagram: @oliviahillierauthorTikTok:@oliviahillierauthor

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how they know when they are holding themselves back and they make an important announcement.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Do You Know If You're Holding Yourself Back?   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/-EcHYl37vn4    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan: https://activatedauthors.com/mastermind-2/ 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about the importance of rest for them personally and how they best rest.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Do You Rest?   QUARTER 2 TASKS   Dan will TBD   Sacha will   TBD   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors  Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/Qq27aeM9Hj8  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan: https://activatedauthors.com/mastermind-2/  Sacha: https://books2read.com/rebeldiaries

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how to get the most out of events and book conferences.    AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Do You Make the Most of In-Person Events? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate two novels Launch a survey Launch New Podcast Write three short stories   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors  Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/fGhMFbv1OnI  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan: https://activatedauthors.com/mastermind-2/  Sacha: https://books2read.com/rebeldiaries

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk all about the lessons writing non-fiction have taught them.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Are The Biggest Lessons You've Learnt From Writing Non-Fiction?   QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors  Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/TlfM2dLrptk  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show Dan's Mastermind: https://activatedauthors.com/mastermind-2/

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk all about story and what they do when they become stuck writing one.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Do You Do When You're Struggling To Write A Story? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors  Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Listen to the podcast: https://pod.link/1508555372  Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/YXX0wvdWb_U  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   The Good Ally by Nova Reid: https://www.amazon.com/The-Good-Ally/dp/B098TW49FX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ORKRF1HNFRST&keywords=good+ally&qid=1647510897&sprefix=good+ally%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1    Ellen Brock: The Four Types of Novel Writers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eryQEZImm6Y  The Methodological Pantser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z310PYzplO0&t=615s  Intuitive Panster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im5WWUL76xc&t=501s  The Methodological Plotter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MCIdpRHa-8&t=631s  Intuitive Plotter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvA8us5OfNQ&t=1454s

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk all about how words have power and how from the personal to the global, they can create change.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Can Writing Change The World?   QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors  Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/5haKHvYXQVg  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan: https://activatedauthors.com/ukraine  Sacha:  Use code BIRTHDAY35 to get 35% off https://sachablack.co.uk/sacha-black-shop/⁠   

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk all about risk, how they approach it and when they think it's worth it.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Do You Know It Is Worth The Risk? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/Uipv6KzZkzI  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show Activated Authors Podcast: https://activatedauthors.com/podcast 

EPISODE 100 IS NOW LIVE!   In this week's landmark 100th episode, Dan and Sacha go live with their Patreons and stream into their Facebook group to talk all about the journey so far, how they have grown and changed and what they think the future might look like for their author businesses.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Have You Grown Since Episode One? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/ejXKEgQDq_Q  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Sacha: https://open.spotify.com/episode/16B4dhxRLgxDr8z8xZFld0?si=qJaXncw4R22vrb9aTUunjA  Activated Authors Podcast: https://activatedauthors.com/podcast

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about their relationship with romance on and off the page.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Is Your Relationship With Romance? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/JOW-KfUoGU8  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   50% discount on Sacha's audiobook 13 Steps to Evil How to Craft a Superbad Villain Use code: FABFIFTY https://sachablack.co.uk/product/13-steps-to-evil-how-to-craft-a-superbad-villain-audiobook/    Activated Authors Podcast: https://activatedauthors.com/podcast   

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about what life would look like if it were easy and they delve into the mindsets they have fostered and continue to work on to keep on going in this industry.    AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Would This Look Like If It Were Easy? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 Sapphic books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/PRc6sVgm3CU     NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   50% discount on Sacha's audiobook 13 Steps to Evil How to Craft a Superbad Villain Use code: FABFIFTY https://sachablack.co.uk/product/13-steps-to-evil-how-to-craft-a-superbad-villain-audiobook/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://activatedauthors.com/podcast 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha answer one of their Patreon's questions on collaboration and talk all about how they started their collaboration and what they think goes into pitching a potential project partner   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Do You Approach Someone for a Collaboration? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 LB books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/0_gm1Pgz3oA   NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show 50% discount on Sacha's audiobook 13 Steps to Evil How to Craft a Superbad Villain Use code: FABFIFTY https://sachablack.co.uk/product/13-steps-to-evil-how-to-craft-a-superbad-villain-audiobook/

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk all about the non-fiction and fiction books they loved in 2021 and why.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Were Your Top 3 Non-Fic and Fiction Books from 2021? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 LB books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/4ixN1mzDtA4  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Activated Authors Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about the last time they had a real, groundshifting breakthrough and what it feels like   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Do You Level Up Your Business? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories Launch new podcast   Sacha will Read minimum of 5 LB books Implement outsourcing  Check off 5 things on new business plan     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/3ofbqTqiqzI  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan -  https://theotherstories.net/minicourse  Blood Legacy by Faye Trask - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=blood+legacy+faye+trask&crid=3QWZK375YEQ12&sprefix=blood+legacy+faye+trask%2Caps%2C145&ref=nb_sb_noss    Pearls from the Wreckage by Penelope Haigh https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pearls-Wreckage-Survived-Perilous-romance-ebook/dp/B09HQ3SNMQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=pearls+from+the+wreckage&qid=1642875488&sprefix=pearls+from%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1 

Sacha Black is an author, podcaster, speaker, and writing coach. She is the host of the popular Rebel Author Podcast, as well as the co-host of the Next Level Authors Podcast with Daniel Willcocks. Her published works include the Better Writers Series, a selection of books to help authors on their craft, and her young adult fantasy series, Eden East. Join us on this very special episode as I chat with a Creator Mom for the first time as we talk about how she came to her Rebel Author branding, podcasting, changing her fiction writing to make an impact with LGBT teens, and Sacha gets open and real about being a mom in a same-sex marriage. I'm Zach Bohannon—I make my living telling stories, but I'm also a metal head, retired drummer, avid gamer, and most importantly, a loving husband and father. Join me each week as I sit down with a fellow parent and discuss balancing a creative life with family, careers, hobbies, and all the other things we love. This…is the Creator Dad Podcast. Join the Creator Dad Community and Discord at https://patreon.com/creatordad Links Sacha Black - https://sachablack.co.uk/ The Rebel Author Podcast - https://sachablack.co.uk/the-rebel-author-podcast/ Next Level Authors Podcast - https://sachablack.co.uk/next-level-authors/ Creator Dad – https://creatordad.life Creator Dad on Patreon – https://patreon.com/creatordad Zach Bohannon – https://zachbohannon.com Are you a writer? Work with Zach! – https://zachbohannon.com/author-services/

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about the last time they had a real, ground-shifting breakthrough and what it feels like.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Does A Real Breakthrough Feel Like And When Was Your Last? QUARTER 1 TASKS   Dan will Dictate a novel Launch a survey Write three short stories   Sacha will TBD     MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/HF0b35wysdw   NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan -  https://theotherstories.net/minicourse 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about ‘self-inserts' and how no writing is free of the influence of its creator.    AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Pieces of Yourself Do You Put Into Your Writing? QUARTER 4 TASKS Dan will Move house Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Dictate a first draft Dictate a short story Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/HF0b35wysdw   NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan - www.activatedauthors.com

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha take another look at their definition of success almost two years on and see how their answer has changed.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Is Your Definition Of Success?   QUARTER 4 TASKS Dan will Move house Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Dictate a first draft Dictate a short story Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Listen to the podcast: https://pod.link/1508555372 Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/lWr1uEC9Zn8  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan - https://activatedauthors.com/present/  www.activatedauthors.com/experts 

EPISODE 90 IS NOW LIVE!   In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha take a look at their goals for 2022 and discuss why and how they are going to achieve them.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Are Your Goals for 2022? QUARTER 4 TASKS Dan will Move house Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Dictate a first draft Dictate a short story Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/CTKn-84QaGM  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan - https://activatedauthors.com/present/  www.activatedauthors.com/experts 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha take a look back at the goals they set for this year and review (after they wipe the tears of laughter from their eyes) how it went.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What were your goals at the beginning of the year and have you achieved them? QUARTER 4 TASKS Dan will Move house Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Dictate a first draft Dictate a short story Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/r0UMoZ9T0CQ  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Dan - https://activatedauthors.com/present/ 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about what they plan on doing next year for themselves, so they can have a happy, healthy and productive 2022   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Are You Going to Do for YOU in 2022?? QUARTER 4 TASKS Dan will Move house Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Dictate a first draft Dictate a short story Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/RUgUQ8fYMUM  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show Dan - https://activatedauthors.com/present/ 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about if they had the chance to launch their first book today, with the knowledge they currently have, what they would do differently.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Are You/Would You Approach the Launch of Your First Book? QUARTER 4 TASKS   Dan will Move house Attend coaching apprenticeship and action the tasks Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Run an author survey for productivity book Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/JzxPtOhZ6-0  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Six Figure Authors: https://pod.link/1480978629/episode/20961fb7a1f839e46df571de865e49f3  Dan - Collaboration for authors https://books2read.com/u/31GpXv  Sacha - https://sachablack.co.uk/2021/08/04/097-know-your-book-market-with-nat-and-kindletrends/ 

EPISODE 87 IS NOW LIVE!   In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about the good, the bad and the really fucking ugly aspects of being self employed.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   The Good The Bad and the Really Ugly: What is Self-Employment/Current Employment Like? QUARTER 4 TASKS   Dan will Move house Attend coaching apprenticeship and action the tasks Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Run an author survey for productivity book Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/R7-po83RMLk   NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show Sacha's Black Friday Sale: BLACKFRIDAY30 http://sachablack.thinkific.com/  Dan - Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/   

  In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about the systems they have in place for marketing, what has and hasn't worked for them and what they want to put in place for the future.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Systems Do You Have in Place for Your Marketing? QUARTER 4 TASKS   Dan will Move house Attend coaching apprenticeship and action the tasks Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Run an author survey for productivity book Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/cjeChy0Z9jQ  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show Sacha's Black Friday Sale: BLACKFRIDAY30 http://sachablack.thinkific.com/  Dan - Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/

  In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how they deal with pressure and the different types of pressure they face.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How Do You Cope With Pressure?   QUARTER 4 TASKS   Dan will Move house Attend coaching apprenticeship and action the tasks Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Run an author survey for productivity book Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/ffJyNSFFbVo  NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA    Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Sacha's Villian Masterclass: https://sachablack.thinkific.com/courses/villainsmasterclass  Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about what they have normalised as they have leveled up and how they can forget what they do now wasn't always normal, at different points in their author journeys.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What Have You Normalised That You Used to Appreciate? QUARTER 4 TASKS   Dan will Move house Attend coaching apprenticeship and action the tasks Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Run an author survey for productivity book Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast:https://youtu.be/n29_AbMBUbY    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  NaNoWriMo Bootcamp: www.danielwillcocks.com/nano  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Sacha's Villian Masterclass: https://sachablack.thinkific.com/courses/villainsmasterclass  Dan's Conference: https://danielwil--ferreira.thrivecart.com/childrens-book-mastery-2021-premium-pass/61788404dd675/   

  In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how leveling up is going and the things they have learned so far in their author journeys.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How is Levelling Up Going?   QUARTER 4 TASKS   Dan will Move house Attend coaching apprenticeship and action the tasks Have sorted Activated Authors 2022 calendar and actioned the first two months of content (Pride & New Year) Run an author survey for productivity book Sacha will Sacha will read 30 books this quarter Logo for thing Create a plan for a series of masterclasses Edit accepted anthology stories   MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/pGd1Fv5qXy4    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  BUY 13 Steps to Evil Audio Book: UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B09HR9VK4S/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_uk  USA: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09HRBDQVG/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-280161&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_280161_rh_us    Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Activated Authors: https://www.activatedauthors.com/  NaNoWriMo Bootcamp: www.danielwillcocks.com/nano  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  The Omens Call: http://books2read.com/omenscall  When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8    Mentioned on the Show   Sacha's Villian Masterclass: https://sachablack.co.uk/product/villains-masterclass/  Dan's NaNaWriMo Boot Camp: https://danielwillcocks.com/nano

In this week's episode, Kate and Sacha talk about selling indie book rights and if or when they would consider it. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   Would you consider selling your book rights?   WEEKLY TASK   Sacha will work on Trey edits. Katlyn will publish her book. MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/vAXS2i_DaeY    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  Pre-Order: The Other Stories Vol 1: https://theotherstories.net/bestof  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8   Katlyn    Pre-order ‘TAKE BACK YOUR BOOK' http://katlynduncan.com/takebackyourbook 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how they keep writing time protected and how they can put systems in place to level it up. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How do you protect your writing time?   WEEKLY TASK   Sacha will create a ‘no' list and make a decision about which drafting project comes next. Dan will enjoy downtime in the Lake District MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast:https://youtu.be/m_3NLufBFKU    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  Pre-Order: The Other Stories Vol 1: https://theotherstories.net/bestof  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8  

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how they decide what to prioritize in their work and why.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How do you decide what to prioritize?   WEEKLY TASK   Sacha will rest. Dan will edit 70% of When Winter Comes.   MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/PuezjTqe638    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  Pre-Order: The Other Stories Vol 1: https://theotherstories.net/bestof  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8

Sacha Black is a bestselling author, host of The Rebel Author Podcast and Next Level Authors, and a professional speaker. She writes amazing educational nonfiction books for writers, and fantasy for Young Adult and adult audiences. She lives in Cambridgeshire with her wife and son.In this episode, you'll discover:Why side characters drive your plot forwardsWhy your story needs a themeJuggling a writing (and podcasting!) schedule with raising small people How to use time blocks effectivelyThe benefits of a morning writing routine (and how much of a different it's made to Kristina's writing in a week!)Show notes:3.30 – Patreon shoutout4.04 – Personal updates11.50 – About Sacha Black12.50 – Why are side characters so important?14.50 – How side characters can be used to represent the theme of your story17.30 – Do different genres require different characters and different characterisation?21.45 – Is it time to cut that side character?28.00 – The two types of character deaths40.00 – Stop fridging your characters!33.15 – How literal and metaphorical deaths affect your characters48.50 – How to juggle writing books, raising a child, and everything else55.05 – Setting an example for the next generation59.10 – Time management when you've got too much to do1.08.15 – The two books that changed Sacha's life1.11.25 – Where to find Sacha onlinePreorder 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black:Amazon UK*Amazon US*Apple*Preorder the 8 Steps to Side Characters Workbook by Sacha Black:Amazon UK Amazon US Apple Sacha's most inspiring books:The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham:Amazon UK*Amazon US*Apple*Divergent series box set by Veronica Roth:Amazon UK*Amazon US*Apple*Other books discussed:Lifelong Writing Habits by Chris Fox:Amazon UK*Amazon US*Audiobook on Apple*The Heroine's Journey by Gail CarrigerAmazon UK*Amazon US*Apple**Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how they deal with the inevitable crash after a launch and how that crash has evolved with their careers.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How do you deal with the post-launch Crash?  Or  What plans are you putting in place to deal with the post-launch crash? WEEKLY TASK   Sacha will think and rest Dan will outline phase 2 of The Thing and edit 10,000 words of When Winter Comes.   MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/1os98B0_c7o    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  Pre-Order: The Other Stories Vol 1: https://theotherstories.net/bestof  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how to know when it is the right time in the author's journey to outsource. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   How do you know when to outsource? WEEKLY TASK   Sacha will launch a book. Dan will set ‘When Winter Comes' for pre-order. MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/k9dbYovZUo4 NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  Pre-order: 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Pre-Order form (proof of purchase):  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lCcC72TW7S0oaInj-eWZ_aGwU_1geJQBsUtLuge76WY/edit BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose  Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  Pre-Order: The Other Stories Vol 1: https://theotherstories.net/bestof  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8 

AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how to create a cast of side characters with substance.   WEEKLY TASK Sacha will prep for and start Becca-con, and continue launch stuff. Dan will Slam words for kiddo time. MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast:https://youtu.be/EWHq4mqkmvU     NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  Pre-order: 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Pre-Order form (proof of purchase):  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lCcC72TW7S0oaInj-eWZ_aGwU_1geJQBsUtLuge76WY/edit BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose  Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  Pre-Order: The Other Stories Vol 1: https://theotherstories.net/bestof  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8 

  In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about their relationship with the word ‘no' and how it's changed it over their careers.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK   What's your relationship with no?   WEEKLY TASK   Dan will finish mini project and write 20k of ghost writing words Sacha will work on launch stuff MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors   Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast:https://youtu.be/qisFyDJciNs    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  Pre-order: 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Pre-Order form (proof of purchase):  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lCcC72TW7S0oaInj-eWZ_aGwU_1geJQBsUtLuge76WY/edit BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose  NO IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdC8Ec48/   Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  Pre-Order: The Other Stories Vol 1: https://theotherstories.net/bestof  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8

This week, Jeff sits down with the fantastic Sacha Black. Sacha is the host of the Rebel Author Podcast and the co-host of the Next Level Authors podcast. Jeff and Sacha discuss the book she is working on, her character voices, how style plays into editing, writing characters in different power dynamics, using personification, planning the emotional states of story beats, and much more. You can find more of Sacha's work at https://sachablack.co.uk/. For more from the Dialogue Doctor, head to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about which single pivotal change made all the difference to their writing journeys. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK What single change had the biggest impact on your writing career? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors/ WEEKLY TASK - Dan will have designed and planned the pages needed for his digital planner, and finished writing a ghostwritten book. - Sacha will continue working on Side Characters. JOIN US ON PATREON https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose BUY Collaboration for Authors: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about their goals for 2021, how they set them, and what specifically they hope to achieve by the end of the year. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK What Are Your Goals for 2021? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors/ Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose BUY Collaboration for Authors: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn

1) New non-fiction Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20353090.P_Teague 2) Julie Cordiner's viral tweet: https://twitter.com/Julie_Cordiner/status/1342532905009086464 3) Check out my running pix: https://self-publishing-journeys.com/parkrun/ 4) Robin Sharma Best 23 Lessons from 2020: https://www.robinsharma.com/article/my-best-23-lessons-from-2020 Recommended podcasts Story Studio Podcast: https://www.storystudiopodcast.com/ The Authorpreneur Podcast: https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/ The Rebel Author Podcast: https://sachablack.co.uk/the-rebel-author-podcast/

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how growing your audience and receiving attention for your work affects your journey, and the best ways to cope with increased interactions from readers, fans, and followers. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK How do you deal with the increased attention that success brings? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors/ WEEKLY TASK * Sacha is going to rest * Dan is going to rest Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose BUY Collaboration for Authors: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn

In this episode, I discuss: Announcements: The newest volume of my book series, Indie Author Confidential is now available. Buy here: http://www.authorlevelup.com/confidentialvol3 Watch my Scrivener Essentials Workshop #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H0WRgm1oR0 Listen to my interview on Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black: https://wp.me/p885Ux-2GJ There will be no December Power Hour this month. We'll pick up in 2021. Wins for the Week: Managed to write over 5,000 words despite a bad back this week Lesson Learned This Week: Lessons from Joanna Penn's new book on AI: https://geni.us/723qTH (paid link) Idea of the Week: Hiring an audiobook proofer Topic(s) of the Week: This week I'm taking it easy due to my back, but I'll be back with more content next week. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about what it takes to make it today, whether or not it's as hard as it's made out or whether making it is down to something else entirely.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK How hard is it to be a successful indie author?   Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors/   WEEKLY TASK Dan will meditate 7 times, stay up to date with his production schedule and finish his presentation. Sacha will work on her website and meditate   Grit by Angela Duckworth https://www.amazon.com/Grit-passion-resilience-secrets-success/dp/1785040200/   Thank you to new patrons, Brett Jackson and Holly Lyne   Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415   The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor   BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose   BUY Collaboration for Authors: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn  

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 53 of The Rebel Author Podcast. It's all me this week. A solo show celebrating one year of rebel authoring. This week's questions is: Where do you want to be this time next year in your writing, business or career? Book recommendation of the week is: 10 Steps to Hero: How to Craft a Kickass Protagonist by Sacha Black Read the book here *** I will be doing a live Poison and Prose session tomorrow 30th September to celebrate hitting 1 year of the show. Join me here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelauthors/ *** Join the Prose Webinar here: The Anatomy of Prose: How to Breathe Life into Your Story, Characters and Sentences WEBINAR *** Mentioned Links: 9 Things Career Authors Don't Do: Personal Finance  Calendly  Podbean    Listener Rebel of the Week is Kahlan Weir If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod *** 2 new patrons this week, Welcome and a huge thank you to Laura Kendrick and Padgett Farmer. A huge thank you to all my current patrons, you help not only to keep the podcast running but give me warm squishy feelings! If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack Please note I do use affiliate links in my posts. THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about their morning routines, and the evolutions of what they've tried over the past few years. They ALSO get the chance to dish author, Faye Trask, her forfeit for not completing her task on a previous show...   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK What is your ideal morning routine?   Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors/   WEEKLY TASK * Sacha will work on the Prose course all week (completing the webinar, too), and write and produce the 1-year anniversary of the Rebel Author Podcast. * Dan will edit all anthology stories and get started on When Winter Comes 6.   Find out more about Dan and Sacha   Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose BUY Collaboration for Authors: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn   LINKS FROM THE SHOW   YouTube Live Q&A with Meg LaTorre, Sacha Black, Jenna Moreci, and Daniel Willcocks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_-3n1q903Q&feature=youtu.be Rebel Author Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelauthors Big Gay Author podcast https://www.jeffandwill.com/biggayauthorpodcast/ The Originals https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70283261 Quitcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcMMgtLuogKNSbxlwyJ5ug The Social Dilemma https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81254224 Hal Elrod's “Miracle Morning” https://halelrod.com/6-minute-miracle-morning/

Rebel Author Takeover Special Episode! In this episode Sacha Black, host of The Rebel Author Podcast, takes over the Stark Reflections Podcast, renaming it the Rebel Reflections Podcast as part of celebrating the 1st anniversary of her podcast (Sept 25, 2020). HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SACHA!!!! Prior to the takeover, Sacha temporarily hands control back over to Mark, who reads comments from recent episodes, shares a personal update, and also a work from this episode's two sponsors....   You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   A motivational show for all the creatives out there with an inner rebel. Listen for interviews, industry news, tips, tricks and tools to help you take your creative business to the next level. Learn more about the Rebel Author Podcast.   In this episode Sacha poses the questions on the following topics which both Mark and Sacha answer: Favorite rebel in history Favorite literary rebel What have you learned since you started podcasting? What have you learned about yourself since starting podcasting? What's your favorite thing about podcasting?  Why do you think Rebellion is important? What kind of rebel are you? A DAD JOKE...   Links of Interest: The Rebel Author Podcast Episode 133 - Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha Black Episode 154 - Memories of and Reflections on T S Paul Episode 144 - 10 Tips for Winning with Wide Publishing Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Books2Read Draft2Digital Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections     Sacha Black is an author, rebel podcaster, speaker and developmental editor. She has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules. Sacha writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing. When she's not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules. She lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

In this week's episode, J Thorn and Sacha talk about when it's time to switch business focus, how you know when to do that and what triggers and indications they have. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK How do you know when it's time to switch business focus? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors/   WEEKLY TASK Dan - REST MOFO Sacha - Work on Sirens and the new version of the Prose course J - write and publish a 9-book romance series... we'll be checking :p   Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose BUY Collaboration for Authors: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn  

Hello Rebels, welcome to The Rebel Author Podcast episode 44. Today, I'm talking to Meg LaTorre all about the traditional publishing industry. It's a fascinating insight into the other side of publishing regardless of whether your trad, hybrid or pure indie you'll learn how to pursue traditional publishing. Preorder my new book coauthored with J Thorn:  9 Things Career Authors Don't Do: Rebel Mindset here. This week's questions is: What method of publishing are you following or would you like to follow? Find out more about this week's guest, Meg LaTorre: Website YouTube Twitter Instagram Read The Cyborg Tinkerer Book recommendation of the week is: Be a Writing Machine by Michael La Ronn KOBO Apple Amazon UK Amazon USA These are affiliate links Listener Rebel of the Week is Victoria LK Williams If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod 1 new patron this week, a big welcome and thank you to Jay Renee Weaver and a huge thank you to all my current patrons, you help not only to keep the podcast running. You make me feel like my potty mouth antics are worthwhile. If you'd like to support the show, and get access to all the bonus essays, posts and content, you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about their processes for tackling and getting through periods of overwhelm and unfocus.   AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK When You Feel Overwhelm or Unfocused, What Do You Do? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors/   WEEKLY TASK Sacha will continue her work on Trey, and also work on the Anatomy of Prose course Dan will finished When Winter Comes episode 3 and submit the files to pre-order   Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor BUY The Anatomy of Prose: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose BUY Collaboration for Authors: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn

Hello Rebels, welcome back to The Rebel Author Podcast episode 34. I'm talking to Dakota Krout today all about how to build an engaged reader fanbase. Episode Show Notes First up, before we get into the show notes, let me say a huge thank you once again for all the support during the launch of The Anatomy of Prose, I'm deeply grateful and I can't thank you all enough. This week's question: What tactic or method have you seen an author use to successfully build a fan base? Rebel of the week this week is Kelly Malacko If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to www.patreon.com/sachablack This episode was sponsored by Kobo Writing Life Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.  

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about what's standing between them and the next author level, and the answer isn't what you might think. The pair get deep, meaningful and a lil' philosophical. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK What's standing between you and the next author level? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextl... WEEKLY TASK Sacha has to work out WTF she's doing after the launch of The Anatomy of Prose. Dan is going to get his study on and do some learning about ads. Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Anatomy of Prose pre-order link: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose Collaboration for Authors pre-order link: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about how they organise their author business and keep on top of the little things. Sacha explains her chaotic colourful planning system and Dan explains the effect that quarantine has had on his planning structure. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK How do you organise your author business? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextl... WEEKLY TASK Sacha - Complete 4 more launch tasks for Anatomy of Prose Dan - Educate himself on either FB ads or AMS ads Dan tries (once again) to lose 2lbs this week. Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Anatomy of Prose pre-order link: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose Collaboration for Authors pre-order link: https://books2read.com/u/3G2jLn 

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about what a good author-publisher looks like. Dan takes the angle of an indie author publishing others and Sacha looks at it from a lone author publishing their work. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK What do you think makes a good author publisher? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors WEEKLY TASK Sacha - Complete 1 lesson for the Anatomy of Prose companion course Dan - Set a date for launching Collaboration and a foundation for a launch plan Dan and Sacha both agreed to try and lose 2lb this week. Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Anatomy of Prose pre-order link: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose Dan's books: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/books

In this week's episode, Dan and Sacha talk about the thought processes behind pursuing opportunities, the most valuable resources you can spend in your career, and how the varying levels of authorship can impact decision-making. AUDIENCE QUESTION OF THE WEEK How do you assess whether or not an opportunity is worth pursuing? Why not answer in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors WEEKLY TASK Sacha - Complete 4 launch tasks for Anatomy of Prose Dan - Finish second draft of Collaboration for Authors Find out more about Dan and Sacha Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Anatomy of Prose pre-order link: https://books2read.com/anatomyofprose Dan's books: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/books

Episode Show Notes 10 Business models article: https://selfpublishingadvice.org/ten-business-models-for-indie-authors/ Rebel Author Podcast episode 11 on finance, money and debt with Zach Bohannon  https://sachablack.co.uk/2020/01/15/011-authors-and-money-how-to-quit-your-job-and-write-full-time-with-zach-bohannon/    Mark's SPS LIVE digital ticket https://selfpublishingformula.com/digital    Book Recommendations: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-total-money-makeover-classic-edition Amazon UK https://amzn.to/36Qc5PC Amazon USA https://amzn.to/2td8yfC The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-barefoot-investor Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2Rbipuu Amazon USA https://amzn.to/2Tqhzgd The Millionaire Next Door by William D. Danko and Thomas J Stanley Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-millionaire-next-door-6 Amazon UK https://amzn.to/36KMZBD Amazon USA https://amzn.to/2Nnjxdk Playing with Fire by Scott Rieckens Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ebook/playing-with-fire-financial-independence-retire-early Amazon UK https://amzn.to/380d4N7 Amazon USA https://amzn.to/2sm4w4f Choose FI by Chris Mamula, Brad Barret and Jonathan Mendonsa Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ebook/choose-fi Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2TkYAmY Amazon USA https://amzn.to/3a7KHOT

In this episode, Mark interviews Janice Savage, Savvy Concierge about strategies that enable work-life balance which translates into more personal time and less stress. Prior to the interview, Mark reads a word from this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices... You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. He then reads comments from recent episodes, reminding listeners they still have a chance to win a copy of THREE STORY METHOD and the accompanying workbook from J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon by commenting on Episode 123 before the end of March 2020. He also shares a brief personal update that includes the adaptation of the Career Author Summit in Nashville in May (where Mark is a featured speaker) to a virtual event, as well as being a guest on the Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black. In their conversation, Mark and Janice talk about: How Janice loves being in a position to do something to help other people, which organically grew into her business How Janice pays attention and listens to both what people say, as well as the things that people don't say, as part of her process of helping them The value of being invited into the personal workspace of the people that Janice works with The importance of, before looking at someone's space, you take a look at their values What "clutter" does to us (makes us stressed, takes away our focus) - space, mind, physical clutter How having clutter in our minds and physically, it takes away from the creative process Examining a workspace for all of the things that can cause distraction The importance of making a specific system that works for you, your preferences, your goals, your work space How routine and the right habits build success The complimentary consult that Janice offers her potential clients How small changes can make a huge impact The importance of having an accountability partner The value of SNAP (The "Sunday Night Plan") - which is a written-down plan for the forthcoming week Ideas for managing an email inbox without getting stressed or overwhelmed And more . . .   After the interview, Mark reflects on the importance of building up solid habits or an impactful routine.   Links of Interest: Janice's Website - Savvy Concierge Findaway Voices Library Promotion Opportunity (Expires after March 29, 2020) Episode 123 - Three Story Method with J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon Episode 124 - Lindsay Flanagan on Working with an Editor The Rebel Author Podcast - Episode 21 - How to Get Your Book Into Libraries Patreon for Stark Reflections   Janice Savage, founder of Savvy Concierge, is a Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Manager. She alleviates the stress and that feeling of being overwhelmed that her busy clientele experience. Janice has taken the strategies and tips she developed first by raising four kids and then by working one-on-one with her clientele to introduce Savvy Principles to Simplify Your Life. She has recently segued into speaking opportunities, educational presentations and conducting workshops where she shares her expertise with larger audiences. By empowering the audience to attain their goals through an organized and decluttered personal and professional life she is spreading her message – Simplify Your Life.   The music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

In episode 57 of the Am Writing Fantasy podcast, Jesper is joined by the awesome and energetic Sacha Black. Sacha is a fantasy author. She is an editor and the host of The Rebel Author Podcast. Sacha has also written several guides and workbooks on how to write compelling heroes and villains. So, we're going to learn from her great insights on creating memorable characters. Tune in for new episodes EVERY single Monday. SUPPORT THE AM WRITING FANTASY PODCAST! Please tell a fellow author about the show and visit us at Apple podcast and leave a rating and review. Join us at www.patreon.com/AmWritingFantasy. For as little as a dollar a month, you'll get awesome rewards and keep the Am Writing Fantasy podcast going. Read the full transcript below. (Please note that it's automatically generated and while the AI is super cool, it isn't perfect. There may be misspellings or incorrect words on occasion). Narrator (2s): You're listening to the amwritingfantasy podcast. In today's publishing landscape, you can reach fans all over the world. Query letters are a thing of the past. You don't even need a literary agent. There is nothing standing in the way of making a living from writing join to best selling authors who have self published more than 20 books between them. Now onto the show with your hosts, Autumn Birt and Jesper Schmidt. Jesper (31s): Hello, I'm Jesper. This is episode 57 of the amwritingfantasy podcast and today autumn is not here, so I'm joined by an awesome guest and that is Sasha black. So Sacha is a fantasy author. She's an editor and the host of the rebel author podcast so Sacha has written several guides on and workbooks on how to write compelling, heroes and villains. So we're going to learn from her great insight on this topic here today. But first, welcome to the amwritingfantasy she podcast Sacha Sacha (1m 6s): thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be here. Jesper (1m 9s): Yeah, it was very nice too. Very nice to talk to you. And the SF just sat there. I know that you also the host of the rebel author podcast, but what's that podcast about? Sacha (1m 19s): I am. So the rebel author podcast is a motivational show at four creatives who like to break the rules or rebel against, you know, um, uh, conventions or just people who have the dry, sarcastic, wet who like, you know, the occasional naughty word. Uh, but it is am essentially about writing, publishing, marketing, um, or you know, all of those industry type topics. And I tend to do interviews as well. Occasionally I do have a solo show, but yeah. Jesper (1m 53s): Okay. Yeah. Yeah. So, so it's all, it's a specifically focused on just any creative outlet. Like, like I mean any Sean rough or writers or are you, are you focused on like certain elements within it or Sacha (2m 6s): no, so it is for um, any writer of any genre. So I write obviously as you've met said I write nonfiction and young adult fantasy, kind of moving into adult fantasy soon. So I try to keep the topics wide. So you know about the craft as a whole rather than something very niche too. I don't know, historical fiction. And also occasionally, or I will be having anyway it topics that, uh, interviews that are more general to creative. So it might be a better mindset or business, which could be any creative business. So yeah, I, I do try to keep it quite broad for all creatives. Jesper (2m 47s): Okay. That's cool. Yeah. Yeah, it's interesting because we sort of went the other way where by write I mean of course we, the topics that we are handling or talking about on this podcast, some of it is generic marketing and publishing and stuff like that, but at least from the writing perspective, we, we've sort of niche down and focused on fantasy writing so. So it was quite nice to hear that you also write fantasy. Sacha (3m 12s): Yeah, well I actually think it's already important to be niche because I think you serve your audience much better when you do that. Um, and I suppose the thing that's overarching on my podcast rather than it being necessarily the niche topic, it's more the niche ethos and theme. So I always ask all of my guests to tell us about a time that they've been a rebel and you know, and yeah. So every week I will read out a listener who's a rebel, you know, in a little story that they sent in. You know, I, I am sarcastic and witty, witty listeners to decide, but I hope I'm funny anyway. Um, and you know, but I will intersperse some naughty made up. So what are words or whatever. So yeah, it's kind of the feeling of the podcast that, um, is niche. I will not appeal to everybody because I have a potty mouth. I'm opinionated. Um, yeah, probably okay with that because I think that helps you find your audience essentially. Jesper (4m 11s): No, I, yeah, I, I fully agree. I think it's, it's better to, to be a bit am, let's say unique and then some people will like it and people are, some people won't. And that's absolutely fine. Uh, I think that that's better than trying to appeal to everyone. Sacha (4m 25s): Definitely. That's how you find your tribe. Jesper (4m 28s): Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah. So how did you get into writing fantasy did, did you always know that you want it to write fantasy Sacha (4m 34s): Oh, that is such a good question. Um, I, I don't think I am like the least self-aware person ever. I didn't really know that I wanted to write until I was in my mid twenties. I think if I had been more self-aware, I would have realized because all the signs were there, you know, I was that kid who'd prefer to read in the library at lunch rather than come and play with other people, you know, things like this. But, um, in terms of fantasy specifically I as a teenager, I read a lot of fantasy. I also interested in, you read a lot of crime and a lot of Raymond's. So I don't think I necessarily knew that that's what I wanted to write until I really got into writing. And I, and a lot of my fears around writing came from not knowing what, you know, if I was going to make some kind of accuracy era. So if you ride fun to see, you can make a lot of it up. So I did that, you know, um, ended up, uh, creating our fantasy world and it's actually just the first character that came to me. So my first book has been with me since I was like nine years old. Um, I always, yeah, I always knew this character, so I'm not going to stick with fantasy forever. Um, I definitely have a contemporary young adult book that I'm about to work on this year that has, I guess, hints of magical realism in it, but it is predominantly set in the real world. So no, I don't, I read a lot of friends, see now, but I also read a lot of contemporary, I read a lot of nonfiction, so I don't know, I just like it. So there is no rhyme or reason behind it particularly? Jesper (6m 19s): No. All right. Now that you'd call the self aware and, and I didn't know that I was that unselfaware but apparently I am because it wasn't until I was like, uh, what, like 38 or something that I figured out that I wanted to write so apparently I'm less overwhelmed. Sacha (6m 35s): Well, you know, lots of us are to hold when we grow up to get a proper job. And you know, uh, I thought a proper job meant going to university and being on one of these really super dull, uh, management, fast track graduate, um, things, you know, so it, yeah, it took me a while to realize that I really hated the corporate world. Jesper (6m 57s): Right. But one thing I did to find out by, uh, you know, snooping around on the internet was that you quite like conspiracy theories. So I thought that was quite fun. So I wanted to ask you if you have like a favorite conspiracy Sacha (7m 10s): am Oh, it's so, that's so hard. So mean of you to ask me that. Um, I do, I do like them because for two reasons. One, um, I derive a lot of inspiration from them. You know, they are quite dystopian when you look at them. Um, and I love dystopian stories. I definitely will be writing a dystopian series at some point, but you can also take elements of fantasy from them. So, you know, like flatter the for example, is a great, um, great example of a conspiracy that's wildly popular at the moment. And there are so many elements to that, you know, things like giants and whether the gods were actually aliens, you know, the, all of these things actually played really well into fiction, particularly science fiction and fantasy. So that is why I love them. And so I, I, you know, a hollow earth is another one. Hollow moon. Um, the, yeah, the firmament and having a dome over the F there are just millions that I will read about and we'll, um, take elements of, uh, to put into my stories. The other reason I like them, uh, it relates to villains. Um, and I always think one of the good markers of a villain is when they're crazy or they're, um, you know, there, uh, what's the word? Like whatever they're trying to so like president snow once the hunger games in the hunger games, he wants the reality TV show when we are so convincing that they can get you to believe in their crazy for just a second. I always think that's a really good Mark of a villain. And I think that some of these conspiracy theories, when you look at some of the, you know, really, um, ardent supporters and some of their arguments, you can for a split second or two actually really invest in them and believe in them. And I think that when, when it's that convincing, you can learn things from that for your fiction. Jesper (9m 1s): Yeah. That is funny because that's exactly why I like conspiracy theories as well because there's so much inspiration in some of it. It's like, well, some of it is like really out there, you know, but, but it's still that there's a lot of good ideas that you can use for storytelling in there. And, uh, I quite like the one where they are talking about that, you know, that the matrix that we actually living in a matrix like thing. So the whole thing in the entire world is just simulation though. Sacha (9m 27s): Yeah. But there are, do you know, they're all scientific books on the universe as a hologram that, you know, there are like genuinely traditionally published books. Um, I had one a few years ago and I can't remember the exact name, but it was something like the universe is a hologram anyway. Fascinating. And that is also what I lost. That some of these things really do venture into the science of it and that's when it becomes extremely hard to ignore. And you know, you do find yourself questioning, well, have I been lied to? What is the government really, you know, all of these things. But yeah, I think that having an open mind, um, and investigating these things, be it conspiracy theories, all science or you know, some detailed, um, Avenue as a writer is really important because we do filter all those are things that we put into our brain back out into our fiction. And I just think it gives us more depth to our stories. Jesper (10m 22s): Yeah, that's true. Yeah. And, and now I can't remember which one it was, which of course then makes it a bad example to bring up. But, but I did listen to a podcast like a couple of months ago where they were talking about numbers and how if you add this to this all, and there was something about the moon as well, the actual size of the moon and am something like that. And everything just keeps adding up to the same numbers or something. It was insane listening too. But, uh, but anyway, that's, that's a rabbit hole that we can get down another into another day. But, uh, we wanted to talk a bit about compelling, heroes and villains today. So I don't know, maybe, maybe I could just start out by asking you what did this, did you think makes for a compelling hero and villain some overhaul maybe. Sacha (11m 7s): Yeah. So, um, I, so a villain, interestingly, a lot of the same things cross saver and, uh, between what makes a good hero and what makes a good villain. But what often happens is that writers at focus all their attention on their hero because obviously the hero is the person who the story is being told via and therefore they have the most page time. But the mistake that you're making there is that all stories are about change. Be it the emotional arc that a hero goes on, the emotional change, the obstacles that a hero must feet in order to win or get to the end of the book. And what drives change is conflict because all of us are creatures of habit will, will not change unless we're forced to too. So yeah. And, and that is how you get the change is through conflict and what's what drives the conflict and novel that's your villain. So I always say that a villain is actually more important than the hero because they are at the source of, um, changing the heroes, which is what the story is about essentially. So the first thing I always think that's important is to get that straight in your head and to value your villain as much as you value your hero. Um, in terms of what makes a good villain, I think there's a probably four or five things. So the first one is values. It's really, really important. Just like your hero will have values, they might value strength or loyalty or doing good or whatever. It's also important that your villain has a value and you can enact those in a couple of different ways. So you could have a positive value, like loyalty that your villain INAX in a bad way. So for example, uh, Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter is an excellent example of this. Anybody who portrays his loyalty, they're gonna die. So that is an example of and acting a positive trait in a bad way. And then of course, you could have a negative value, like revenge, for example. Um, and just moving on from that, another really important factor in your villains is to have a positive trait. So for example, if you have a villain who is just a homicidal maniac who just wants to end the world, um, it's not very believable because apart from people who, you know, might have genuine, um, Mike, well anyway, having a complete psychopath as a villain in a crime book might be realistic, but that's usually because they're not really on the page very much. Excuse me. They tend to, uh, appear at the end. Or if there's some, obviously might have a jewel point of view, but for the most part then on the page, and we'll get back to the point. So having a positive trait creates a second layer of depth to the character. Most of us aren't inherently evil and that goes for villains as well. They might have a warped sense of justice or a warped sense of equality or a warp sense of, you know what's right and wrong is, but they don't believe they are bad. They believe they are doing the right thing. It's just that society or your hero doesn't. So having a positive trait is really important to make them believable. It gives them a sense of humanity and you can enact that in a million different ways. Be it showing kindness to somebody or even if it's a henchman, having a pet is quite often when that happens. Um, it could also be that, that you turn one of their negative traits into a positive temporarily. So that is a trick that I quite like to use. Um, another last, I'll try and whip through these. Appreciate I'm going on. But, um, so, so the other one would be to have a really solid motive and a reason why. So this is often lacking. I find in manuscripts that I am do developmental edits on the, they don't think through the why a villain is doing something. People like, when we look at our psychology, we all do things for a reason. Our childhood, our teenage years, you know, our most influential years shape our brain chemistry, like quite literally shapes our brain chemistry. And if you've had a wound in your past, often we talk about heroes and wounds and the thing that gives them their flow while your villain also has a wound in their past. And whilst you don't necessarily need to put it on the page because your villains isn't your protagonist, you do need to think about that because it will drive their behavior. You know, let's say they lost family in a boating accident. I'm just talking about this on the hoof now. But perhaps they then have that would give them a wound and they might then want to seek revenge on, on, on the boating company. But a hero might choose instead to enact that wound in a positive way. So they might start up a charity for people of drowning victims or whatever, you know. So it's, it's looking at how you can incorporate that wound and give your villain a reason for why he's behaving and in that particular way. And um, you know, doing the bad things that he's doing lost to make them unbeatable. Um, too often we give our heroes and easy ride and we don't, um, make things difficult enough. So one way to stop that is to make a really unbeatable villain for like 85% of your novel. Make them an expert in something, make them better than the hero at something. Um, because the harder it is for your hero to the win, the more invested your readers will be. And last, but by no means least give them a really strong sense of integrity, which is actually a really positive trait to have. But I will tell you the reason why it's so important for a Villa. When you have integrity, you do what you're, say, what you say you're going to do, even if it means doing something bad. And that makes a villain, particularly when they do do bad things because they said they're going to do them, it makes them frightening. You know, if they are like, you know, I'm gonna, if you don't do X, I will kidnap your child. And then they came back. The child that is terrifying and also makes them very believable. So yeah, those would be my top. Jesper (18m 1s): Yeah. No, but, but I think that there are some really, really, really good points in down and especially about the reason for being evil because that's also something I always keep saying. Uh, automotive and I actually writing a book about creating characters and also plotting at the moment and in the character section part of it, we are also saying in data, everybody is a hero of their own story, right? So, so they're, they're, the villain will also believe that what he's doing is for the greater good. Uh, so, so I fully agree with what you're saying that you need a good reason for, for them be doing what they're doing. And unfortunate lab also seemed like in mainstream, uh, what does he call pain or what does he call the, you know, the adversary and one of the superhero things where it was something to do with a doll or some stupid stuff like that, you know, when, when do you almost felt like they were making up a reason just to have one and for him being evil. Right. And that that doesn't work. Yeah. I think maybe too many writers also too concerned about the villain becoming, let's say, too likable. Uh, and therefore they make him like just, just like super evil without any reason for being evil. But I would almost go the other way and say the more likable or at least understandable, you can make the villain the better. The villains. Sacha (19m 23s): Absolutely. And you only have to look at the rise in popularity of anti heroes to see how true that is. Um, you know, uh, villains excuse me. Villains often, none of us would want to admit this, but sometimes they do the, they do the hard thing and they do the controversial thing. And sometimes we might, there might be parts of us that agree with them and that's particularly what auntie heroes do. They do the naughty things that we all wish we could do, but wait, call your boss in the eye with a fork is technically illegal. Jesper (19m 56s): Yeah. But that, that's absolutely through. Uh, but, but also, you know, sometimes the villains side just, I don't know, maybe it's just me, but, uh, in, in star Wars for example, I like Veda the most. You know, he's just so cool. Uh, but of course he's not the good guy, but, uh, but it is, so sometimes it's just the am, the villains who are, who are really, really strong characters. And I think it's important to have strong villains because without it, as you say as well, then you have no real conflict and no driver behind. And then the story. Sacha (20m 29s): Exactly, exactly. I think the Mark of a good story, well there are many marks of good stories, but one of my most favored marks of a good story is a villain who will suck me in. Um, and you know, they'll make me like him and then just as I'm about to tip over into, Oh, I love this, they'll go and do some things so unbelievably, terribly horrible that I'm like, ah, later you kill me. Because now I just call it like the villain or whatever. You know, it's that roller coaster of innovations that I think comes from a good villain. Jesper (21m 2s): Yeah, absolutely. But do you think it's also important to show chains in the villain or do you just go with like, well, the willingness to same. Sacha (21m 13s): So you know, there are lots of different types of villain arcs as well. I think what we really interesting villains go on their own, um, that their own journey. So you can have a character who starts out nice, for example, that this often happens in like high school, um, uh, stories. You'll have two friends and one will become, um, you know, uh, I was going to say no to that, but one will become the cause. She gets jealous, but she starts out nice and then she declines on her own journey into becoming the Antonio. I mean, to be honest, in that kind of story, it's more of an antagonist than a, than a villain. But they will descend. Um, and it's only as they descend that if you look at a graph, they are descending downwards, the heroes starts to rise upwards and it's at that point of crossing that the hero overcomes their floor in order to defeat the villain. And the villain falls into that point of insanity where there's no, no return for them. But you also have other types of villains. So a redemption arc is, I just love a redemption arc. So a typical thing, and obviously as I've said, we'll go downwards. They'll start, you know, maybe bad, but they'll decline rapidly into the dark pits, off, you know, um, uh, push the red button of nuclear explosion. Um, but a redemption arc is when they might start bad, but actually they end up doing the right thing or they, they redeem themselves for whatever it is they've done. A good example of that, excuse me, in relatively recent TV series was once upon a time, I think it was am and the evil queen in a snow white and the seven drawers, so she's called Regina in this TV show. She has a fantastic redemption arc, even the seven series. So, um, I would highly recommend that TV series if you want to see a recent example of a redemption arc that I loved. Um, yeah, Jesper (23m 20s): yeah, yeah. But I think it is important to, to think about the villains as a character rather than just a mechanism to, to throw some stuff in the face of the hero all the time. Right. Because that needs to be some depth to, to the, to the villainous. Well of course, I, I do think sometimes when we're dealing with fantasy, if you're, if you're a villain is like, uh, uh, the dark Lord or something, you know, like, uh, like in a lot of the rings or whatever, right? Then it can be a bit difficult to try to, to think about how do I show a real change in Salona something, right? I mean, but, but, but I mean, I think it applies both ways. Dis about a S before we talked about the not shoe Horning in the reason for the villain to be evil, but at the same time, I think it applies the other way around us. Well, sometimes don't shoe horn in a change because you think that's a good idea. It's, it all depends on, yeah, Sacha (24m 15s): absolutely. And we all know I'm a rebel so you can, you can break any writing rule that you want as long as you're creating believable characters and you have readers that like your stories. Um, you know, but I, I, one of the things that I think is important, um, although again, lots of writers will break this and still create good stories, but allowing your villain, so your hero represents the theme in your book. Okay. So you'll fill in, should resent the, I'll put my teeth back in, should represent the anti theme. So a good example of this, again, I will go back to the hunger games. Hopefully everybody has seen or read the hunger games, but Katniss represents sacrifice even on the, in the first chapter. She um, her sister gets cool to go into this really dangerous life threatening TV reality show and she sacrifices herself in order to protect her sister. Everything she does in the novel is about sacrifice and sacrificing herself for the greater good of others and in order to get what you want, but president snow sacrifices of the people for his benefit. So he is a direct reversal of the the of the book's theme. And he will am. Yes. Okay. One of his values, his heel, any kill people for a purpose, but you can be damn sure that he will kill somebody if he, if it's going to benefit him. Um, so yeah, I really think that's another important aspect to make sure you, you look at in preparing your villain and Damon. Jesper (25m 59s): Yeah, exactly. So, so speaking of that, uh, of what, what you just said there, how much and how, and how much detail do you advise to, to go into character planning before you start writing? How much of this do you set up in advance and how much do you sort of figured out along the way? I think Sacha (26m 16s): that, Hm, I think that is individual to each writer. Um, I, I love, I love talking about process and talking to other writers about what they do. Um, their planner Ponsot writing into the dark, etc. Um, but I don't think that is one right answer. At the end of the day, if you are finishing books, then the process works for you. If you're not finishing books, then try something else and experiment. Um, some people like to let their characters play out on the page and then they're happy to do revisions. That's fine. Some people like to go into a lot of depth planning, um, before they start. I think, um, even if you don't write it down and you don't plan it, knowing your villains am floor and positive traits and their wound in the past is helpful before you start because it can help you shape your scenes and the conversations and it will enable you to know both what you're hearing needs to be bad and good at and how eventually they'll defeat them. But ultimately, I, you know, I hate dictating to people how they should and shouldn't do their planning. Um, cause I just think there are as many different processes as there are writers out there and you have to find an experiment to see what works for you. Jesper (27m 35s): Yup. Yeah, that's absolutely true. And I think also the dose pros and cons to all of it. Uh, you know, the, the modern, you can plan out in advance the more time you're going to save in editing. But if you feel like planning out in advance is, is killing your creativity, then maybe it's better to just spend more time editing. So it's to his own. Sacha (27m 55s): Yeah, absolutely. And also don't be afraid to change your mind. So like I always sometimes forget that I have permission to change my mind on things. So if anybody's listening, you have permission to experiment. Um, but yeah, so I have written books that are heavily planned and also not planned at all. And sometimes different books and different projects require different methods. So that's okay. If you need to change up your method, you have permission. Jesper (28m 22s): Okay. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Uh, but, but, uh, in terms of heroes versus villains here, are there like any fundamental things that you think is really important for writers to be aware of in terms of differences between the two where we spent quite, uh, quite some time here at the moment talking about villains and how to make them great. You did also touch upon upon the heroes a bit in the beginning, but is there any like fundamental things that are really important or do you think the same sort of characteristics Sacha (28m 51s): kind off but in opposite way. So when we talked about a villain, we said that, um, they need a positive trait in amongst their negative ones, but for a heroes they need a negative trait in amongst their positive ones. So nobody likes the perfect person and nobody really likes the geek at school who always has their hand up and always get things right. You know, it makes us feel bad, you know? Um, yeah, nobody likes a perfect Terry because actually it's boring. There's no trials and tribulations and it's unrelatable. One of the things that we read is love the most is to be able to relate to the heroes and in particular their emotional journey because that really is at the heart of stories is, is the emotion. And, um, we're perfect as humans and therefore your heroes should not be passive. They should make mistakes. They should see the wrong thing. They should upset people. Ultimately though they obviously need to be overwhelmingly good, um, in order to, to be the hair or not. If you have an antihero, um, obviously they are, you know, a good 50, 50 balance of good and evil. Um, the other thing that I think is really important to concentrate with, um, the hero is something that I talk about in my book. 10 steps to heroes how to craft a kickass protagonist. Um, and that's the hero lens so often. Well, and it will depend slightly on the point of view that you're writing in but broadly speaking, even if you're in an omniscient, um, you know, looking over the heads of all of the characters type and point of view, your story will be told through the eyes of either a character, your protagonists, or another character or through a series of different characters. And the important thing to remember is that that is all your reader has. Okay. So you, for example, I might see turquoise as more greeny blue than bluey green, but other people might see it more as bluey green. So each of us has this unique way of looking at the world. And the hero lens is essentially a funnel through which you'll read a sees the story and it is through the eyes of your heroes. And the way that you can Croft that lens is through actions, thoughts, and feelings and dialogue. Now, if you're an exact, so to put this into practice as and as an example, if you have a really stuffy, formal, pompous sort of academic as a character, you need to think how that personality would be reflected across dialogue, across thoughts, feelings, and action. Because the way that academic would behave is very different to a gang member, for example. So instead of using, and you can get really granular with this, but this is how you create really good characterization and how you create the sensation of individuality and uniqueness for your heroes that your reader will fall in. Love it. So let's go nitty gritty and talk. Look at sort of a sentence level thing a academic might say. Instead of saying, I thought either your offer, they could say, I've been contemplating your author. So instead of using a basic word like think or thinking, they might say contemplating or pondering and they might say, I've come to the conclusion that it must be a node. Rather than saying, I've been thinking about your offer and it's a no, you know, you have to look at how you can take those personality traits and filter them down through thoughts, through dialogue. I mean that was a dialogue example, but even in the description, you know, somebody who is a angry character, we'll use shorter, sharper sentences and shorter words. Often things like automatic PSA, they might talk about the banging footsteps of a soldier, for example, where somebody who is much more um, thoughtful might use, my brain's gone completely blank now, but you see where I'm going with this. Jesper (33m 14s): Yeah, absolutely. And, and I think also what, what a character notices is also different depending on personality. So one type of person who will notice something else in a room that then another type of personality will, right? I mean, some personalities will enter a room and the first thing they'll look for, okay, that this is me. So when I enter a room, I look for kitchen, where's the toilets, where, where are the exits? So I need to know where everything is. Right? But somebody else might enter a room and think, Oh, those look like interesting people over there. I better go over there and talk to them. Right. And that's not me. Sacha (33m 48s): Definitely I of those details that that characterization comes from. Um, and you know, the reflection on how those things make them feel. So I think in the book there's an example about, um, two different characters are more depressed character and an angry character looking at a parade and the differences, um, it's the same event, but they're looking at it through very different eyes. So they are noticing different details and yeah. So it's one of my most favorite things to do in in when I'm writing is to think about the details that one character we'll see over another. Jesper (34m 23s): Yeah, absolutely. One thing I was thinking about while you were saying that, and I don't know what, what your thoughts about this, but the sentence level for me that that sounds like something that you should probably spend most of your time on, eh, let's say correcting or updating when you're doing your editing, because I think if you get bucked down and all of that during your first drafty, yeah, you might spend quite a lot of time thinking about the right words that this character will use and at the end of the day you're going to edit the, some of it out anyway or whatnot. So I don't know what you think about that. Do you go about it right away or do you sort of save some of that, those details for the editing? Sacha (35m 0s): I think it depends. Like I said earlier, some people will write an extremely clean first draft and that's, that's because they cycle through. So they might read it, they might write your chapter, read a chapter, read an editor chapter, write the next chapter, read it. At the end of the day, if you are finishing books, it doesn't matter how you're doing it. Um, I tend to use a mixture. I'm a bit of a burst writer so I will, but I'm changing that. I am trying to write consistently instead of, you know, writing 20 K in a week and then not writing for me personally, I do a bit of a mixture. Sometimes I will take forever to, you know, write a single sentence and then other times I will just form it an entire scene out and I'll revise it later. And I think it just depends on how I'm feeling and what the moment calls for. But I definitely, um, I, I wouldn't say I write flowery, but I definitely love description and I love, um, obsessing about the sentence level stuff. So I probably spend a reasonable amount of time doing that in revisions or, or if I'm doing it at this at the time. But it depends on the project. It depends on the characters. Some characters are so fully formed when they appear on the page that you don't need to revise them because their voice is so crystal clear. Um, the characters take longer to, um, to, to develop. So for example, one of my characters in my, um, uh, young adult fantasy novel, um, was, has been there since, but one, I'm now on book three, but, um, they were much blander I think in book one and by book three, they now this like total diva, snarky genius diva. And, um, so they've really come into their room and perhaps I could have done more planning beforehand to ensure that this character was the same from the start. But I, I like it because it feel like this character has come into their road. So are you finishing books? That's the, that's the real important question. If your face you booked, it doesn't matter how you get there. Jesper (37m 9s): Yeah, absolutely. That's so true. Um, but I was also thinking to ask you, um, maybe, maybe sort of as, as a rounding off, I don't know, but, uh, but because we have so many streaming services nowadays, you have so many movies that is easily available to everybody. What, what do you think about taking inspiration from characters in in? It could also be another books, but, but maybe from movies or TV shows or whatever, and using that as inspiration for your own characters. Do you think that's a good idea or it doesn't it matter or, Sacha (37m 41s): yeah, absolutely. I get, get any inspiration you can from anywhere, be it, you know, going and visiting museums, you know, climbing into abandoned buildings. Not that I've done that any, any which way you can. And I think it's, I think we'd be naive to say that the stories that we read or the TV shows that we watch don't influence the us. I don't think we can avoid that. You know, arguably you could say that every romance story that has ever been written is a rip off of Romeo and Juliet. Um, as long as you're not doing a carbon copy of a character, which frankly, I don't believe that you could because exactly. Each writer's voice is different. But if you are taking elements of a story, um, or elements of a world-building or elements of whatever, then, you know, so what every vampire story ever or has vampires in it, does that mean every race of vampires is saying, does that mean they all become a vampire in the same way? You know? Yeah. I don't think that all unique stories really, I think, you know, with 8 million books or whatever it is on Amazon, I think it's very hard to have something that is truly original. So yeah, don't be afraid, just, just don't write carbon copies of because obviously then that is plagiarism and illegal. Jesper (39m 4s): Yeah. But, but yeah, uh, I mean, I fully agree. I mean, unless you actually sitting there and copying exactly the same thing, then I fully agree that it's not possible to, to copy and not even a story. I mean, sometimes I call him, uh, come across, uh, writers who email me or some of them. I've also received some tweets once in a while where people asking or that, you know, what about when I share my story ideas and people would steal it. And I always keep saying the same thing. Like nobody can steal your idea. I mean, it doesn't matter that you're telling people if, if talking told somebody, this is what I'm, I'm thinking about, I want to write for a lot of the rings. And you sat down and wrote the Lord of the rings while he was doing it in parallel, the two stories would be completely different even though you started out from the same idea. Yeah, Sacha (39m 47s): absolutely. And the other thing is like, and I, I mean this with no disrespect to any creative, but nobody else cares. You know, we all, as creatives, we all have our own ideas that we are deeply passionate about and they are ours. And yes, there might be similarities and other stories, but nobody wants to write somebody else's story. They want to write their own story. So it is usually highly unlikely that somebody will steal your idea or whatever. Yes, they might take elements or parts of your story, but nobody can write like you. Nobody has your voice because nobody grew up under the same circumstances. Nobody has the same lens, see what I did, their hair, you have and therefore they cannot possibly write to the same story as you. Jesper (40m 40s): No, absolutely true. That's it's a ton of good advice. You're Sacha is there anything that you have not mentioned that you feel is important for the listener to know? Sacha (40m 48s): Am just keep writing and keep practicing. And one thing that I really like to do is write flash, flash fiction. Um, I think it's a really good, uh, so flash fiction for anybody that doesn't know is a very, very micro short story could be anything from two lines of dialogue up to sort of thousand word character sketches. But if you're ever unsure about how a character would act or behave, I always like to put them in strange situations or you know, give them an emotion to feel or to react to you and just write a very short piece. And I think that helps and stops people from making mistakes in their manuscripts. And it is also then free that you can then give to your readers or whatever. So yeah, just, just experiment. Jesper (41m 39s): Mm, cool. So where can people find more, uh, more about you and what you do? Sacha if they want to check stuff out, Sacha (41m 47s): but so, um, my name is, uh, obviously Sasha black, but it's Sacha with a C so, S a C H, a M and my website is Sacha black.co dot. UK. You can find out more about my books. I have a blog that you can find out more about like podcast there. The podcast is on all podcasting app category jobbies and it's called the rebel author podcast am if you would like to view my books, I'm on, I'm white, so I am anywhere that you can, you can buy a book. You can find my books and, and last, but by no means least I am on Twitter and Facebook and all of those things. Um, but I most frequently on Instagram, which is at Sacha, black author and one last thing. Um, I do have a Facebook group where we do weekly accountability posts. We do fast friction writing Wednesday challenges, and it's just generally a really nice support group. And that is called 13 steps to Eagle. Doesn't sound nice, does it? But it is. Sorry man. Jesper (42m 49s): That's excellent. And uh, I, if you sent me some link Sasha, then I'll add it to the show notes so people can find it straight through there as well. All right. Thanks a lot for joining us today. So next Monday autumn, we'll be back and we're gonna dive deep into the topic of how to find other authors to collaborate with. Narrator (43m 16s): If you like what you just heard, there's a few things you can do to support the amwritingfantasy podcast. Please tell a fellow author about the show and visit us at Apple podcast and leave a rating and review. You can also join Autumn and Jesper on patreon.com/amwritingfantasy for as little as a dollar a month. You'll get awesome rewards and keep the amwritingfantasy podcast going. Stay safe out there and see you next Monday.

Accounting for AuthorsAccounting for authors is something we're asked about all the time. Special shout out to John Box for suggesting the conversation.“How do self-published authors handle their income? Both part-time and full-timers? Are authors setting up LLC's or the like? Is this something that we can do on our own? Or is there a respectable service out there that can help us?”These are all great questions. Listen in as we talk about what we do on the financial side of being a career author.DISCLAIMER: We are not accountants or tax attorneys. This is not financial or legal advice. We are not responsible for any decisions you make as a result of listening to this episode.The Career Author Podcast is a podcast where co-authors J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon share their struggles and successes as full-time authors, advice for improving your writing craft, and honest discussions of what it takes to build a successful career as an author.In this episode, you'll discover:Why credit cards can be good for small business ownersHow to determine whether or not you need an LLCWhy partners should always have written agreementsTools for book keepingWhen you need a tax professionalAlso, learn how to get on the path to financial independence for free.Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/ Leave us a comment: What is one thing you'll do in 2020 to improve your financial health as an author?Thanks to all of our newest Patrons, Holly Starkey, Mary Lasher, and Dee DuPuy.Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthorWant to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/Links:FI101 - https://academy.choosefifoundation.org/Zach on the Rebel Author Podcast - https://rebelauthorpodcast.podbean.com/e/011-authors-and-money-how-to-quit-your-day-job-and-write-full-time-with-zach-bohannon/You Are a Storyteller Podcast - https://writeinvisibleink.com/episodes/The Writers, Ink Podcast - https://writersinkpodcast.com/The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthorThree Story Method - http://threestorymethod.comMolten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.comEvents - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/ See

Hello and welcome to episode 12 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today I am joined by Angela Ackerman and we're talking pay it forward marketing, business planning and crafting emotions. More About Angela Ackerman Find her books here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/bookstore/ One Stop for Writers software here: https://onestopforwriters.com/ Read her article on business planning here: https://www.janefriedman.com/business-plans-for-writers/ Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Episode Question: what business planning methods you find most useful? The two articles I've written recently: One on setting up money and finance basics for your writing business is over on writers helping writers: https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/01/six-steps-to-setting-yourself-up-financially-as-a-writer-in-2020/ The other on crafting villains appears on the Insecure Writer's Support Group https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2020/01/4-tips-for-creating-villains.html Don't forget the Alliance of Independent Authors is running a sale on it's twice yearly self-publishing conference which I happen to run. If you'd like to grab over 100 hours of content, you can use my affiliate link below: https://selfpublishingadviceconference.com/?pa=0A19CBF504 Listener Rebel of the Week is Zack Geoffrey If you'd like to support the show, and get access to all the bonus essays, posts and content, you can support the show by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack Book Recommendation The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-hazel-wood-1 Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2R8X9GI Amazon USA https://amzn.to/2TQoFeb

Welcome to The Rebel Author Podcast episode nine where we interrupt the transmission for something a little different. Today, Sacha goes solo for the first time and confesses her quarterly goals in an attempt to be more productive! There's also a surprise guest and some shout outs from listeners. Oh, and we discover Sacha can't count! Normal service will resume next week with an interview from the uh-maze-ing YouTube superstar Jenna Moreci. If you'd like to support the show, you can do that right here and also get access to the backlog of patreon-only essays, sneak peeks, as well as a chance to ask the guests anything.

Welcome to episode six of the The Rebel Author Podcast where I'm talking to Renee Conoulty all about how indie authors can DIY an audiobook. The post 006 How to DIY an Audiobook with Renee Conoulty appeared first on SACHA BLACK.

Hello and welcome back to The Rebel Author Podcast, I'm thrilled to host the lovely H.B Lyne today as we talk all about how to world build covering both fantasy and non-fantasy settings. The post 005 – How to World Build for Fiction Authors appeared first on SACHA BLACK.

Hello and welcome back to episode four of The Rebel Author Podcast. I am so excited for this interview. When I was transcribing the interview, I found myself taking loads of notes. Kristina is an absolute editing whizz and shows you how to self-edit better. The post 004 – How To Self-Edit With Kristina Stanley appeared first on SACHA BLACK.

Welcome back to the third Rebel Author Podcast episode. Today, I talk to Boni Wagner-Stafford about nonfiction and specifically how to market nonfiction books. Though if you're a fiction author, I think you'll still gain a huge amount of insight and ideas on strategic marketing. The post 003 – How to Market Nonfiction Books With Boni Wagner-Stafford appeared first on SACHA BLACK.

Welcome to the first official episode of the Rebel Author Podcast where I talk to Adam Croft about all things indie author mindset, wide marketing and a sprinkling of banter. The post 001 – The Indie Author Mindset with Adam Croft appeared first on SACHA BLACK.

Hey guys, I'm absolutely delighted to announce the launch of The Rebel Author Podcast. This is episode 0, an introduction if you like to the podcast and what you can expect from the show. I'll be launching regular episodes at the end of the month. For now, welcome. The post 000 – The Rebel Author Podcast appeared first on SACHA BLACK.