Podcasts about storycraft

From Amy:I met Nicole Diaz in the life-coaching world around the time that I was first envisioning my online community for real-life writers. She demonstrated a brilliant understanding of the creative process, and I had this idea of hosting Idea Parties as the centerpiece of my work with writing groups, with Parker Palmer's work as my model. Nicole was a Parker Palmer fan too. So for a few years, we collaborated to host once-a-month calls on Saturday mornings where we let beautiful words draw us into our writing.Afterwards, people spoke their voices into the room, and nobody corrected or coached or edited each other. Instead, we let you be at the heart of your story and reflected your words back. And books began to be written and friendships began to be made.Together, Nicole and I developed a flexible and potent Idea Party format that works to this day, even after she has moved on.There were other experiments Nicole and I tried, among them this little series of three podcasts. It was going to be available in the community library only, as one of many exclusive features. Since then I've streamlined my online Writing Circle space to center on writing calls and there's no reason to house a three-part podcast series with a leader who's no longer there.On the other hand, Nicole and I agree that these three episodes would make a beautiful Winter Solstice gift to YOU, my podcast listeners, at a time when creativity could bring us all comfort if we could just calm down about the creative process itself.These are shorter than my other episodes, and I find talking with Nicole delightful. I hope you enjoy.Happy holiday season.Love, AmyPS–Nicole sends her love too.Nicole Diaz is a creativity coach and business strategist. She works with business professionals to access their creative flow, and with creatives to build the structure they need to stay on track without losing inspiration. Through private coaching and workshops, she helps people balance strategy and creativity so they can bring their ideas to life. www.nicolemdiaz.com Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:I met Nicole Diaz in the life-coaching world around the time that I was first envisioning my online community for real-life writers. She demonstrated a brilliant understanding of the creative process, and I had this idea of hosting Idea Parties as the centerpiece of my work with writing groups, with Parker Palmer's work as my model. Nicole was a Parker Palmer fan too. So for a few years, we collaborated to host once-a-month calls on Saturday mornings where we let beautiful words draw us into our writing.Afterwards, people spoke their voices into the room, and nobody corrected or coached or edited each other. Instead, we let you be at the heart of your story and reflected your words back. And books began to be written and friendships began to be made.Together, Nicole and I developed a flexible and potent Idea Party format that works to this day, even after she has moved on.There were other experiments Nicole and I tried, among them this little series of three podcasts. It was going to be available in the community library only, as one of many exclusive features. Since then I've streamlined my online Writing Circle space to center on writing calls and there's no reason to house a three-part podcast series with a leader who's no longer there.On the other hand, Nicole and I agree that these three episodes would make a beautiful Winter Solstice gift to YOU, my podcast listeners, at a time when creativity could bring us all comfort if we could just calm down about the creative process itself.These are shorter than my other episodes, and I find talking with Nicole delightful. I hope you enjoy.Happy holiday season.Love, AmyPS–Nicole sends her love too.Nicole Diaz is a creativity coach and business strategist. She works with business professionals to access their creative flow, and with creatives to build the structure they need to stay on track without losing inspiration. Through private coaching and workshops, she helps people balance strategy and creativity so they can bring their ideas to life. www.nicolemdiaz.com Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:I met Nicole Diaz in the life-coaching world around the time that I was first envisioning my online community for real-life writers. She demonstrated a brilliant understanding of the creative process, and I had this idea of hosting Idea Parties as the centerpiece of my work with writing groups, with Parker Palmer's work as my model. Nicole was a Parker Palmer fan too. So for a few years, we collaborated to host once-a-month calls on Saturday mornings where we let beautiful words draw us into our writing.Afterwards, people spoke their voices into the room, and nobody corrected or coached or edited each other. Instead, we let you be at the heart of your story and reflected your words back. And books began to be written and friendships began to be made.Together, Nicole and I developed a flexible and potent Idea Party format that works to this day, even after she has moved on.There were other experiments Nicole and I tried, among them this little series of three podcasts. It was going to be available in the community library only, as one of many exclusive features. Since then I've streamlined my online Writing Circle space to center on writing calls and there's no reason to house a three-part podcast series with a leader who's no longer there.On the other hand, Nicole and I agree that these three episodes would make a beautiful Winter Solstice gift to YOU, my podcast listeners, at a time when creativity could bring us all comfort if we could just calm down about the creative process itself.These are shorter than my other episodes, and I find talking with Nicole delightful. I hope you enjoy.Happy holiday season.Love, AmyPS–Nicole sends her love too.Nicole Diaz is a creativity coach and business strategist. She works with business professionals to access their creative flow, and with creatives to build the structure they need to stay on track without losing inspiration. Through private coaching and workshops, she helps people balance strategy and creativity so they can bring their ideas to life. www.nicolemdiaz.com Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction.

Show Notes:TikTok is adding new ways to fine-tune your For You Page algorithm (The Verge)Snap, Show Up, and Set Your Own Sound: New Features to Express Yourself (Snapchat)Instagram testing portrait and landscape letterboxing in Carousels (Instagram)Cyndi Zaweski is an award-winning journalist and content strategist here to help you tell better stories. Her StoryCraft marketing framework gives founders a cohesive strategy to share their passions and expertise, using their story as the throughline between what they love and who they serve. She writes about the intersection of business growth and personal growth to inspire storytelling ideas in her community of more than 80,000 people online.In this episode, Cyndi Zaweski, owner of StoryCraft with Cyndi, dives deep into the art of storytelling for solopreneurs and brands. Cyndi discusses the importance of storytelling beyond just answering why a business was started. She explains how a brand's story is its personality and can be used to connect with the audience, make content engaging, and drive home a brand's mission.Cyndi shares practical tips on finding and crafting your own story by looking at your life experiences and the common struggles you've faced. She emphasizes that every story needs tension or conflict to be compelling, using examples like her journey from being an uncomfortable news anchor to becoming confident on camera through consistent practice on Instagram Stories.The episode also explores how individuals can position themselves as authorities without traditional credentials, by associating with experts and packaging valuable information effectively. Cyndi's approach provides hope for aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs, showing that expertise is not just about having a degree but about experience and adding value.Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on how to reframe their personal struggles into inspirational stories, and how to use these stories to build a strong, relatable brand presence. The conversation highlights the significance of consistency, vulnerability, and the willingness to learn and evolve in the process of storytelling. Find Cyndi online at:Website: ⁠www.cyndizaweski.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠www.cyndizaweski.com/newsletter⁠Short-Form Storytelling Course Waitlist:⁠www.cyndizaweski.com/storytelling-course⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cyndizaweski/  Enjoy Ad-Free Episodes: Patreon Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Notes:Head of Instagram Explains Their Value Proposition (@Instagram)Instagram Adds Music to Profile (@Creators)Broadcast Channels Can Now Be Posted To Directly (@Threads)Turn on Instagram Broadcast Channel Replies (Instagram Help)TikTok's Songs of the Summer 2024 (TikTok)New Podcast Episode!  Cyndi Zaweski of StoryCraft with Cyndi on Crafting Your Brand's StoryYouTube (Full Video Interview)Audio Only (Plink!)Apple Music Spotify    Enjoy Ad-Free Episodes: Patreon Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Whether you're a professional keynote speaker or an entrepreneur, executive, or community leader, you need to be able to command the stage and captivate any audience. My good friend Mike Ganino is back on Hustle & Flow this week to share what YOU need to know to go from good to great to legendary!  Chapters 00:29 - Introduction to Mike Ganino 02:27 - Summer Camp memories 07:27 - Good to great to legendary  11:45 - Stop boring us   17:55 - Memorizing versus winging it  23:51 - #1 thing to improve your speech  26:24 - Benefits of a keynote director 31:00 - Building trust through communication   34:00 - Free download plus discount code    Download the free guide – Story Craft: 5 Stories Entrepreneurs Must Tell and How To Do It Well – at https://www.mikeganino.com/storycraft/ For $800 off The Mike Drop Era Retreat in NYC, use discount code HeatherMadeMeDoIt at https://mikeganino.thrivecart.com/nyc-june-2024/  Be sure to follow Mike on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mikeganino To listen to my previous interview with Mike, check out Episode 143 - Using Stories To Be More Persuasive.  Want insider access and perks? Join my newsletter to unlock free bonuses and special announcements. Sign up at http://www.heatherjoyhubbard.com/subscribe  Follow me on on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heatherjoyhubbard For the video interview of this episode and to keep the conversation going in the comments, visit https://www.HustleAndFlowPodcast.com

How do we say ‘yes' to life, without saying ‘no' to death? How do we “rise to the occasion” and “wrestle something good” from the heartbreak of a terminal diagnosis? What does it look like to “become familiar with grief and uncertainty in intimate ways”? Today's virtual fire-side conversation about being human and being alive is with Duncan Passmore - husband, father, writer, and woodworker of 20 years - as he shares his story and the story of his son, Torin, diagnosed at a young age with Pearson syndrome, a rare and incurable mitochondrial disorder. It's a story of life and death, grief and beauty; punctuated with the power of story, the mystery of ceremony, the practice of craft and community… and the building of boats. It's also a way of inviting you, if you feel able and called to, to weave into the community Torin has inspired and contribute to Duncan's family's GoFundMe; raising the funds to support them spending six months with Torin's presence and his memory as they build a boat and sail it on Lake Windermere - a request of Torin's he didn't live to see fulfilled. As someone grappling in my own ways (as most of us are) with fears, griefs, and the way life laughs at plans; as someone who believes in the power of community, of cultures devoted to full-spectrum aliveness, mystery, story, and ceremony; this feels like a deeply worthy story to share and a deeply worthy endeavor to support. Join us around the fire? You're most welcome here. May we shed the armor which keeps us trying to hold off what is. May we become vulnerable enough and brave enough to share our stories so community might find us and, when the time comes, hold us. May we use our hands and heart to craft beauty from grief so we might fully embody at least some small part of what it seems to mean to be human and to be alive. May Torin's presence and memory live on through the ripples of his story and the way it disarms us and invites us to rise to the occasion of our own lives. You can find out more about the project and become a part of the prayerful building of the boat through Duncan's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/9983ec87 Please also consider sharing the GoFundMe so we can continue casting the net wider and weaving more people into this story. They're at 50% as of the recording/ publishing of this episode and have until June 9th to make it the rest of the way. P.S. My Zoom seems to have finally caught up to the version with the floating reaction videos - so please excuse the random thumbs up and balloons which seem to pop up at strange and slightly inappropriate times. _____________________ And if you've come for Duncan, I hope you'll stick around for more conversations to access, repair, inspire, and evolve our humanity and serve the wild, tender aliveness of our personal and collective hearts. To further support the podcast and conversations that aim to awaken, inspire, repair, and evolve something deep within us and serve as good medicine for our wild, tender personal and collective hearts: 1. Please ‘follow', ‘like' or ‘subscribe' where you listen so you stay up-to-date on all our conversations and help others find them, too. On Apple Podcast, please consider rating and leaving a review. 2. share widely 3. consider joining the new Patreon community! For as little as $1/ month, patrons get access to community gatherings and get to play a more interactive role in the growth of the podcast. ⁠https://patreon.com/wildsacredjourney⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kate-powell-wsjp/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kate-powell-wsjp/support

Jeff and editor/writer/bookstore owner Tom Holbrook come together to talk about what they are seeing in the book world. They talk about things they are encountering frequently as editors, stories that they've recently loved, stories they consumed that were broken, and about the state of publishing in general. To find Tom online, go to https://holbrookauthorservices.com/  For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

This week, we're so excited to welcome cartoonist, animator, and game developer Adrienne Bazir (she/they) into the studio to talk about their 2023 timeloop RPG, In Stars and Time!In Stars and Time is a turn-based RPG that follows a group of adventurers at the end of their journey to defeat a king slowly freezing the land in time. It's also a game about found family, snacks, cosmic indifference, and the power in knowing where you come from and embracing who you are. Safe to say it has us in a chokehold. 0:57 - patreon shoutouts2:07 - introduction of adrienne6:53 - discussion of In Stars and Time beginsLearn more about Adrienne and In Stars and Time:https://www.insertdisc5.com/https://www.instarsandtime.com/ - available now on Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch!Side Questhttps://www.instagram.com/anat.international/ Salma Shawa (@anat.international) is a content creator pushing followers to think critically about Palestine. Give her a follow on Instagram! About Pixel TherapyWe're a podcast queering and transcending video games for all kinds of gamers and those who love them--get cozy with us! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Join for free or unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

Chapter 1 What's Storycraft Book by Jack HartStorycraft: A Guide to the Art of Narrative Nonfiction is a book written by Jack Hart. It serves as a comprehensive guide for aspiring writers who want to master the craft of narrative nonfiction writing. The book delves into various aspects of storytelling, including developing characters, creating compelling narratives, conducting research, and organizing information effectively.Hart, a former newspaper editor and writing coach, draws upon his vast experience in the field of journalism to provide practical advice and insights. He offers numerous examples from renowned nonfiction writers to illustrate his points and showcases the power of storytelling in capturing readers' attention.Storycraft Book aims to help writers better understand the art of storytelling and apply its principles to their work, regardless of the genre they specialize in. It provides a framework for structuring stories, emphasizes the importance of thorough research, and emphasizes the need to engage readers emotionally.Overall, Storycraft Book by Jack Hart is a valuable resource for anyone interested in enhancing their narrative nonfiction writing skills and learning from a seasoned professional in the field.Chapter 2 Is Storycraft Book A Good BookI'm sorry, I cannot provide personal opinions as I am an artificial intelligence. However, you can check out reviews from readers or professional critics to make an informed decision about whether the book "Storycraft: A Guide to the Art of Narrative Nonfiction" by Jack Hart is considered good or not.Chapter 3 Storycraft Book by Jack Hart SummaryThe Storycraft Book by Jack Hart is a comprehensive guide that teaches aspiring writers how to craft compelling and engaging stories. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of storytelling.Part one delves into the fundamentals of storytelling, covering topics such as finding inspiration, developing characters, and creating a plot. Hart emphasizes the importance of understanding conflict and tension in order to create a story that captivates readers. He also provides practical advice on how to conduct research and organize ideas.Part two explores the art of structure and organization in storytelling. Hart discusses various techniques for outlining and planning a story, including using story beats and creating a story arc. He also delves into the different narrative structures that writers can use to create tension and suspense in their stories.Part three delves into the revision and editing process, providing valuable insights on how to refine and polish a story. Hart explains the importance of revision in strengthening plot, character development, and overall storytelling. He also offers tips on how to approach the editing process and make critical decisions to improve the narrative.Throughout the book, Hart includes examples and analysis of various storytelling techniques used in popular works of fiction. He also shares personal anecdotes and advice from his own experience as a journalist and writing coach. The Storycraft Book is a valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced writers, providing guidance on how to create compelling and memorable stories. Chapter 4 Storycraft Book AuthorJack Hart is an experienced journalist and author known for his book "Storycraft: A Guide to the Art of Narrative Nonfiction." He released the book in 2011. Apart from "Storycraft," Jack Hart has not written any other books. However, he has an extensive career in journalism, having worked as a...

In this episode of the Books for Men podcast, Douglas Vigliotti recaps the month of November 2023, expresses gratitude to listeners for their support, and encourages them to spread the word about the podcast. He then proceeds to summarize the three books discussed in the previous month's episodes. The first book is Vigliotti's own novel, Tom Collins, which explores the theme of consumption versus creation. The second book is The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware, which delves into the regrets people have about life on their deathbeds. The third book is City of Thieves by David Benioff, a historical fiction novel set during the Nazi siege of Leningrad. The host shares his thoughts and favorite quotes from each book and encourages listeners to listen to the podcast episodes or read the books themselves. He concludes by reminding listeners to share the podcast and provides information on accessing full transcripts and signing up for the newsletter at BooksforMen.org.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will help provide awareness for the initiative—inspiring (more) men to read and bringing together men who do. (Ladies, of course, you're always welcome!)Share with a friend or on social mediaSubscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platformLeave a rating or reviewVisit BooksforMen.org to sign up for the Books for Men newsletter, a monthly round-up of every episode with full book and author info, all the best quotes, and newsletter-only book recommendations!

Full Show Notes Here: www.authorlkhill.com/post/ep196   The Writer's Journey: https://amzn.to/3Fbtc16 Story Engineering: https://amzn.to/46uuHne The Virgin's Promise: https://amzn.to/48P1NiU Write to Market: https://amzn.to/3FbcJda Story Genius: https://amzn.to/48JXZQ9

This week we're back from summer break with a new season and a new format. In addiction to the regular conversations about craft, we'll be reading a short prose text each month and discussing it as writers. Would you like to join the book club? Next month we're talking about Junot Diaz' short story "Fiesta 1980." This week, we delve into Edith Wharton's brilliant novella, Ethan Frome. What makes this work enduring? What can we learn by reading it and possibly emulate in our own writing? Prepare to be amazed. I suggest you read the story before listening if you aren't already familiar with it. We spoil everything, because that's the only way to benefit from a conversation about the writing behind this truly great American story. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton Learn about coaching with Alida. Join the Writers Circle free office hour.

Story Works Round Table is back next month with some exciting new shows! Check out A Room Full of Books & Pencils https://booksandpencils.substack.com/ SWRT September reading: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton SWRT October reading: Fiesta 1980 by Junot Diaz Writers Group Coaching: https://wordessential.com/writingcoach/ Writers Circle free office hour: https://wordessential.com/events/ Want to sit at the round table? Reach out and let us know!  

Welcome to the Success with Soul Podcast! Today's guest, Kayley Hamilton, has walked the red carpet with some of the world's biggest celebrities – and now she coaches others on how to have confidence in developing a PR strategy. Whether you know it or not, you could probably develop more of a strategy for your own business. In today's episode, learn how to boldly tell your story and craft a PR strategy that would have you "red carpet ready"! What You'll Learn in This Episode:  Why you need a PR strategy as much as a marketing strategy  How to boldly tell your story, even when you're afraid to do so  Tips for crafting an effective PR strategy  How to ditch hustle mentality and find balance in work and life  Links + Resources Mentioned in this Episode:  Follow Kayley on Instagram or visit her website Superhuman Meditation App The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz The Success Principles by Jack Canfield Dr. Joe Dispenza Join the Success with Soul Incubator mastermind to gain more money mindset and making tips Become a member of the Success With Soul Membership program! Follow me on Instagram @katekordsmeier Subscribe, Review + Connect Thanks so much for listening in this week! If you enjoyed this episode, here are some ways you can join our Success with Soul movement:  Leave an honest review for The Success with Soul Podcast on Apple Podcasts so we can improve and better serve you in the future. I personally read each and every one of them, and they are super important for rankings, which help us continue to produce free content just for you! You may even be featured on the episode in our listener spotlight!  Curious about our group coaching program, the Success With Soul Incubator? Check out our behind the scenes tour here! Email me new episodes Don't forget to join our free Success With Soul Facebook community for follow-up conversations about the podcast episodes and where I also often go live to answer your burning questions. Hangout with like-minded bloggers and heart-centered online business owners exchanging priceless feedback, encouragement, and other golden insights from the trenches

Filmland Spirits Charlie Flint & Steve Canepa Chat Moonlight Mayhem Small Batch Bourbon, Origin Story, Craft Blending, Barrel Finishes, PGA Tour, California Golf & More The Birdies & Bourbon team had a blast chatting with Charlie Flint and Steve Canepa about Filmland Spirits origin story, current lineup of spirits and new releases coming out soon. Filmland Spirits is offering some wonderful expressions with a blockbuster in every bottle. On the show we sampled their Small Batch Bourbon Moonlight Mayhem and the full proof Moonlight Mayhem Extended Cut. Each of these whiskies were outstanding and a compliment to their whiskey geek and movie nerd roots. Pour some Filmland Spirits sip along and listen/watch. Be sure to check Filmland Spirits out online at https://www.filmlandspirits.com/ The Neat Glass. Be sure to check out The Neat Glass online at theneatglass.com or on Instagram @theneatglass for an improved experience and use discount code: bb10 to receive your Birdies & Bourbon discount. Thank you for taking the time listen to the Birdies & Bourbon Show for all things PGA Tour, golf, gear, bourbon and mixology. Dan & Cal aim to bring you entertaining and informative episodes weekly. Please help spread the word on the podcast and tell a friend about the show. You can also help by leaving an 5-Star iTunes review. We love to hear the feedback and support! Cheers. Follow on Twitter & Instagram (@birdies_bourbon) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/birdies-bourbon/support

Anna Quinn is the author of The Night Child, (Blackstone) listed as #1 Best Real Psychological Fiction on Goodreads, and Ingram's 2018 Best Book Club Book. Her second novel, Angeline, (Blackstone) will be released Feb 7th, 2023. Quinn's writing has also appeared in Psychology Today, Writer's Digest, Washington 129 Anthology, and Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19. She is the founder of The Writers' Workshoppe in Port Townsend, WA., and has thirty years of experience teaching and leading writing workshops across the country. When she isn't writing, she's reading, biking or hiking somewhere on this beautiful planet. To learn more about Anna explore here: https://annamquinn.com/ The Storytellers hosted by Grace Sammon, focuses on individuals who choose to leave their mark on the world through the art of story. Each episode engages guests and listeners in the story behind the story of authors, artists, reporters and others who leave a legacy of storytelling. Applying her years of experience as an educator, entrepreneur, author, and storyteller herself, Grace brings to listeners an intimate one-on-one experience with her guests. Visit Grace at her website www.gracesammon.net. Contact Grace about being a guest on the show, email her at grace@gracesammon.net Follow Grace: On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GraceSammonWrites/ On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GraceSammonWrites/ On Twitter https://www.twitter.com/GSammonWrites On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-sammon-84389153/ #TheStorytellers #Storyteller #Storytellers # Storytelling #AuhtorInterview #LetsTalkBooks #LeaveYourMark #AuthorLife #StorytellerLife #ArtofStory #AuthorTalkNetwork #BookishRoadTrip #AuthorTalkNetwork #AuthorsOnTheAirGlobalRadioNetwork #awardwinningfiction #hope #empathy #love #grief #covid #transformation #psychologicalfiction #psychology The Storytellers is a copyrighted work © of Grace Sammon and Authors on The Air Global Radio Network.

Wow, what a year! In this calendar year not only did we kick off the number one site for writers The Story Craft Cafe, but we also started this podcast as an offshoot of that very special place. We had some fantastic guests that stopped by to share their stories and to drop some hard […]

Welcome to the Story Craft podcast Season 2 We're here to give you tips tricks and inspiration for making storytelling and creative writing a part of your daily life. New to writing? A seasoned writer looking for inspiration to spice things up? Somewhere in between? You're in the right place! In this episode we talk about setting and go through an exercise to help flesh out the world of your stories. If you write something based off the prompt from this episode or have a question or problem you think we could help answer and would like us to share it on a future episode please email: podcast@pioneerlibrarysystem.org with the subject line: Story Craft This Podcast is brought to you by Pioneer Library System in Oklahoma for more information on the Pioneer Library System go to: www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

Filmland Spirits Founders Troy Bolotnick & Steve Canepa Chat Whiskey Geeks & Movie Nerds Lifestyle, Small Batch Rye, New Releases, Origin Story, Craft Blending, Barrel Finishes, California Golf & More The Birdies & Bourbon team had a blast chatting with Troy Bolotnick and Steve Canepa about Filmland Spirits origin story, current lineup of spirits and new releases coming out soon. Filmland Spirits is offering some wonderful expressions with a blockbuster in every bottle. On the show we sampled their Ryes of the Robots Small Batch Rye Whiskey. They have also recently released Moonlight Mayhem which is their first Small Batch Straight Barrel Bourbon. Each of these whiskies were outstanding and a compliment to their whiskey geek and movie nerd roots. Pour some Filmland Spirits sip along and listen/watch. Be sure to check Filmland Spirits out online at https://www.filmlandspirits.com/ The Neat Glass. Be sure to check out The Neat Glass online at theneatglass.com or on Instagram @theneatglass for an improved experience and use discount code: bb10 to receive your Birdies & Bourbon discount. Thank you for taking the time listen to the Birdies & Bourbon Show for all things PGA Tour, golf, gear, bourbon and mixology. Dan & Cal aim to bring you entertaining and informative episodes weekly. Please help spread the word on the podcast and tell a friend about the show. You can also help by leaving an 5-Star iTunes review. We love to hear the feedback and support! Cheers. Follow on Twitter & Instagram (@birdies_bourbon) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/birdies-bourbon/support

Wow, what a year! In this calendar year not only did we kick off the number one site for writers The Story Craft Cafe, but we also started this podcast as an offshoot of that very special place. We had some fantastic guests that stopped by to share their stories and to drop some hard earned wisdom on us as well. In this episode we look back at a few of those highlights as we get ready to spend some special moments with family and friends and reflect on all of the good that 2022 brought us. We hope you take this time to rest and recharge your creative batteries and come back ready to tackle your stories with renewed hope and vigor. From all of us at Dabble and the Story Craft Cafe, Happy Holidays! In this episode we hear from: Sally Britton Richard Fox Christopher Paolini Liv Constantine James Rollins Sarah Pinborough Beverly Jenkins J. T. Ellison Brian McClellan Jenna Moreci R. A. Salvatore Jasinda and Jack Wilder  

Welcome to the Story Craft Café Podcast. If you're just joining us for the first time, we kicked off a challenge a couple of weeks ago to Write A Novel With Dabble In 60 Days. This challenge encompasses the yearly NaNoWriMo Challenge, while also adding a planning month to the mix. Five writers are going […]

Welcome to the Story Craft Café Podcast. If you're just joining us for the first time, we kicked off a challenge a couple of weeks ago to Write A Novel With Dabble In 60 Days. This challenge encompasses the yearly NaNoWriMo Challenge, while also adding a planning month to the mix. Five writers are going […]

Welcome to the Story Craft Café Podcast. If you're just joining us for the first time, we kicked off a challenge a couple of weeks ago to Write A Novel With Dabble In 60 Days. This challenge encompasses the yearly NaNoWriMo Challenge, while also adding a planning month to the mix. Five writers are going […]

Welcome to the Story Craft Café Podcast. If you're just joining us for the first time, we kicked off a challenge a couple of weeks ago to Write A Novel With Dabble In 60 Days. This challenge encompasses the yearly NaNoWriMo Challenge, while also adding a planning month to the mix. Five writers are going through the process of developing an idea, making a fully formed plot and plan, then executing the writing of a first draft in 60 days.  Last week we talked about characters. We know that characters drive your story through their own accomplishments and the way they do, or do not, handle plot devices you throw their way, but what about /where/ your story is set? Have you ever heard the term "place as character"? Well, in today's show we talk about it.  Join us as we look at what makes a great setting and how you can use that setting to set your story apart from the rest. Go to storycraft.cafe to join in the challenge. We'd love to have you!

Welcome to the Story Craft Café Podcast. If you're just joining us for the first time, we kicked off a challenge a couple of weeks ago to Write A Novel With Dabble In 60 Days. This challenge encompasses the yearly NaNoWriMo Challenge, while also adding a planning month to the mix. Five writers are going through the process of developing an idea, making a fully formed plot and plan, then executing the writing of a first draft in 60 days. Last week we talked about characters.  Today we have a special episode of the podcast for you with one of the most prolific authors that I've had the pleasure of befriending over the years. Rick Partlow has written and published dozens and dozens of science fiction novels. In the midst of our write a novel in 60 days challenge, hearing from a writer that is putting in the work everyday is greatly motivating, and I hope that you, like me, get excited by hearing Rick's story. Thanks for listening. 

Welcome to the Story Craft Café Podcast. If you're just joining us for the first time, we kicked off a challenge a couple of weeks ago to Write A Novel With Dabble In 60 Days. This challenge encompasses the yearly NaNoWriMo Challenge, while also adding a planning month to the mix. Five writers are going through the process of developing an idea, making a fully formed plot and plan, then executing the writing of a first draft in 60 days. Last week we talked about characters. You can have a brilliant plot idea, a stellar setting, and amazingly grand ideas, but without characters that readers can relate to and ultimately root for, you don't have much that will keep readers engaged. Join us as we look at what makes characters who they are, and what character traits can add to your story.

It's October, and that means it's time to start working on that novel that you've been thinking...

It's October, and that means it's time to start working on that novel that you've been thinking about. Our friends at NaNoWriMo have famously dubbed November as National Novel Writing Month, and we look forward to that time each year. Dabble has some amazing built in features to help you prepare for writing that novel. So we decided to form a group of writers who could prepare together, and then write their novels together as a way to inspire and help each other through the process. Last Thursday we had our first meeting of the Dabblers and talked about what we planned to do and how we wanted to make it happen. Listen in and join us and the writing challenge. There's still time. Tuesday night we'll have another hang out, this time with Jacob Wright, Dabble CEO, and we'll talk all about how Dabble's tools can help you succeed at your own writing challenge.  Thanks for listening.

Adam Hamdy is a bestselling British author and screenwriter who works with studios and production companies on both sides of the Atlantic. Together with David Headley, Adam founded Capital Crime, one of the UK's largest literary festivals. He teaches creative writing in the UK and US and is on the board of the International Thriller Writers Organization.   “I couldn't stop thinking about the story's incredible twist…like no crime novel I've ever read.” —James Patterson For fans of Matt Haig and Anthony Horowitz, an “intriguing and thought-provoking” (Liv Constantine, author of The Last Mrs. Parrish) novel in which the lives of a disgraced police officer, a prolific author, and an upstanding citizen are inextricably bound together by a series of mysterious deaths. The Other Side of Night begins with a man named David Asha writing about his biggest regret: his sudden separation from his son, Elliot. In his grief, David tells a story. Next, we step into the life of Harriet Kealty, a police officer trying to clear her name after a lapse of judgment. She discovers a curious inscription in a secondhand book—a plea: Help me, he's trying to kill me. Who wrote this note? Who is “he”? This note leads Harri to David Asha, who was last seen stepping off a cliff. Police suspect he couldn't cope after his wife's sudden death. Still, why would this man jump and leave behind his young son? Quickly, Harri's attention zeroes in on a person she knows all too well. Ben Elmys: once the love of her life. A surrogate father to Elliot Asha and trusted friend to the Ashas. Ben may also be a murderer.​ The Other Side of Night is a thought-provoking, moving “head-spinner of a novel” (John Connolly) with intriguing narratives and plot swerves that will leave you reeling. By the end, you'll be shaken as each piece slots satisfyingly into place.

Adam Hamdy is a bestselling British author and screenwriter who works with studios and production companies on...

In Part 2  of this conversation with master of Epic Fantasy R. A. Salvatore we dig deep...

https://storycraftcafe.podbean.com/e/why-writing-with-a-plan-makes-a-difference-with-jean-kwok-story-craft-cafe-episode-47/ Welcome to the Story Craft Café podcast. Today we get to spend some time with Jean...

In the first of this 2 part episode we talk with Master of Fantasy Fiction R. A....

Welcome to the Story Craft Café podcast. Today we get to spend some time with Jean Kwok, author of the instant New York Times bestseller Searching For Sylvie Lee. Jean has a short story in the brand new collection of stories called Marple: Twelve New Miss Marple Mysteries, celebrating the life and work of Agatha Christy. In this episode we talk all about Jean's creative process, why planning and outlining are so important to her work, writing mysteries, channeling the voice of Agatha Christy and Miss Marple, and getting to contribute to a collection such as this. This show is chock full of advice from a writer that is in the thick of it right now, and at the top of her game.  We talked with Jean about the upcoming Write A Novel In 60 Days With Dabble challenge, and Jean offered some sage advice for writers that are trying this daring challenge. If you would like to join in the challenge and write your dream with a community of like minded writers at your side, go over to storycraft.cafe and sign up. Thanks for listening.  https://www.jeankwok.com/

Welcome to the story craft cafe podcast. We're continuing our monthlong celebration of romance that we're calling #KissTember. Today we have husband and wife duo Jasinda and Jack Wilder and we talk about the ups and downs of the writing life, understanding your audience and delivering what that audience has come to love from your writing, the changing market and how publishing has changed over the last decade and so much more. Later this month we are kicking off something that I know you are going to love. We call it the writer a novel in 60 days with Dabble Challenge. A group of writers from all across the genre spectrum will join together to each write a novel in 60 days. It's going to be challenging, but it's going to be epic. We will have weekly check-ins where we report about our progress and share our frustrations and successes. We hope you'll join with us. We'll share more about this as we get closer. Now onto our interview with the Wilders. Thanks for listening.  JasindaWilder.com

We're kicking off a month that we're calling #KissTember. Since we are roughly six months away from Valentine's Day, if you are a romance author, or just thinking about dipping your toe in the romance waters, now is a great time to start focusing on that February release. To kick off this special month we have a conversation with Romance superstar Sierra Simone. From finding her voice to staking out her own corner of this wildly popular genre, Sierra has something for all us writers to add to our writer's toolkits.  Sierra is a voracious reader of all things including the smuttiest smut, young adult, piles of non-fiction for research, and everything Bill Bryson (especially on audio). She loves writing the dirtiest things that she can think of, King Arthur, sparkling water, Tarot, coffee, leggings, and learning new words daily.  Her previous jobs have included firing ceramics, teaching living history lessons in one-room school house in full, 1904-approved school marm attire, and working as a librarian for several years—not in that order She lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, two children, and two giant dogs. (And two cats, but they're so naughty we don't talk about them.)  Her novels have been published in Czech, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, and Romanian. She's been featured in Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Marie Claire, and Library Journal with a starred review. Sierra is an internet introvert, but you can follow her on Spotify and Instagram, and chat with other readers in her Facebook group! You can also reach her at thesierrasimone@gmail.com. (Please note that due to a high volume of emails, responses may be significantly delayed.)

Karen M. McManus is a #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of young adult thrillers. Her books include the One of Us Is Lying series, which has been turned into a television show on Peacock, as well as the standalone novels Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, You'll Be the Death of Me, and Nothing More to Tell. Karen's critically acclaimed, award-winning work has been translated into more than 40 languages. To learn more about Karen and her books, visit karenmcmanus.com, or follow @writerkmc on Twitter and Instagram.   From #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying comes a new page-turning mystery. Be sure to keep your friends close . . . and your secrets closer. Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favorite teacher—a story that made headlines after the teacher's body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. The case was never solved. Now that Brynn is moving home and starting her dream internship at a true-crime show, she's determined to find out what really happened.  The kids who found Mr. Larkin are her way in, and her ex–best friend, Tripp Talbot, was one of them. Without his account of events, the other two kids might have gone down for Mr. Larkin's murder—but instead, thanks to Tripp, they're now at the top of the Saint Ambrose social pyramid. Tripp's friends have never forgotten what Tripp did for them that day, and neither has he. Just like he hasn't forgotten that everything he told the police was a lie. Digging into the past is bound to shake up the present, and when Brynn begins to investigate what happened in the woods that day, she uncovers secrets that might change everything—about Saint Ambrose, about Mr. Larkin, and about her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot. Four years ago someone got away with murder. More terrifying is that they might be closer than anyone thinks.  

Welcome to the story craft cafe podcast. Today we have a special show for you. We have been collecting conversations with authors all across the genre space, as well as authors that are traditionally published, as well as superstars in the indie publishing space. We don't always get the opportunity to record a full hour-long interview with everyone, even if we really enjoy the types of shows where we get to really dig into an author's journey as well as dig deeply into a certain aspect of craft. That's where this show comes in. Over the last couple of months I have had the opportunity to chat with some fantastic authors and today I am bringing you selected clips from each of them. If this is the Story Craft Cafe, then think of this as a sampler platter. Today we'll hear from Meg Gardiner, David Pepper, Faye Kellerman, William Kent Krueger, John Galligan, and the always entertaining Karin Slaughter. Be sure to join us next week as we resume our normal format. As always, thanks for listening.  

As we continue our #indiesummmer coverage, we shift gears a little bit to talk to Alex Newton from K-lytics. While writing is most definitely an art, publishing is a business. Did you know that there are ways for you to find out exactly who your competition is, and how saturated a particular genre or sub genre is? Alex Newton has done just that and today he shares some of his wisdom with us. Whether you are an indie author, or have your sights set on a traditional publishing career, Alex has information that can help us all.  K-lytics

Welcome to the Story Craft Cafe podcast. As we continue our #indiesummmer coverage, we talk with an author today that has seen indie publishing go through ups and downs, from the wild wild west to a mature industry with opportunities and challenges for anyone wanting to get their stories out to the masses. Kevin Tumlinson writes science fiction as well as his current passion of Archaeological thrillers, (think Indiana Jones meets Dan Brown) and in this episode we talk about his thoughts abut what it takes to write in a particular genre and gather an audience, why he pivoted in his chosen genre, what he thinks is the number one thing authors can do to take their publishing to the next level, his work with indie publishing platform Draft2Digital, and so much more. Kevin Tumlinson is the Novelist—an award-winning and bestselling author of hundreds of books crafted to thrill and inspire. He also serves as the Director of Marketing and PR for Draft2Digital, the leading distributor of books by independent authors and publishers, worldwide. Kevin is known as the Voice of Indie Publishing for his work in podcasts, conferences, public speaking, and consulting for authors. Every day he helps and encourages hundreds of thousands of will-be and established authors around the globe.

In Part 2  of this conversation with master of Epic Fantasy R. A. Salvatore we dig deep into his favorite topic, world building. From the terrain to the politics and religion of a place to how characters evolve based on their environment and how they have been nurtured, you don't want to miss this episode! As one of the fantasy genre's most successful authors, R.A. Salvatore enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 30,000,000 copies. Salvatore's most recent original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter's Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and at # 4 on The New York Times best-seller list. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Czech, and French. Salvatore's first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet. His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computer science to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990. The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer's letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books. Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including "Adventure fantasy" and "Why young adults read fantasy." Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien. Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar. When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.

In the first of this 2 part episode we talk with Master of Fantasy Fiction R. A. Salvatore. From the creation of his iconic character Drizzt Do'Urden, taking readers on a journey of character development, what it means to work in an existing shared fantasy universe, and so much more. Join us tomorrow as we do a deep dive on world building. As one of the fantasy genre's most successful authors, R.A. Salvatore enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 30,000,000 copies. Salvatore's most recent original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter's Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and at # 4 on The New York Times best-seller list. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Czech, and French. Salvatore's first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet. His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computer science to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990. The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer's letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books. Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including "Adventure fantasy" and "Why young adults read fantasy." Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien. Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar. When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.

Nothing can be more daunting than taking the manuscript that you've worked on and poured your heart and soul into and handing that to someone to mark up all the errors. It can be reminiscent of 11th grade English. Or is it? Join me today as I welcome Lauren Moore to talk about how you can take your manuscript as far as possible and how to form a relationship with an editor that will make your manuscript the best it can be. Lauren Moore is a freelance editor and has helped make hundreds of books the best they could be. Join us as we talk about self editing and how to get the best out of your experience with an editor. Link mentioned in this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QVTxWWYMaxPrTIZslm1QygkOsU_WzFA-Pgf2QF56Odo/edit?fbclid=IwAR01T0OVwIMFtl7loeFCnz7xYZP1OK8b7Uo8uK6E7taEur85X8z_3cWGpwQ#gid=1937885360

Welcome to the Story Craft Café Podcast.  If you joined us yesterday then you know that we're talking with Michael La Ronn, author of more than 80 books. Today we go deep on character development. Michael talks about his focus on sci fi and fantasy, and his new focus on urban fantasy specifically. We talk about starting with characters and tropes that readers are familiar with, then adding a twist that will make people continue thinking about your book long after they close the back cover. What is the central conflict in all of Michael's stories? Find out in today's episode! Episode 36 With Michael La Ronn Part One https://www.michaellaronn.com/ https://authorlevelup.com/  Michael's YouTube Channel

Michael La Ronn is one of the most prolific authors I know. He is also one of the most giving authors I know. He not only works a full time job, enjoys family life with his wife and daughter, maintains a popular YouTube Channel, he also has written and published over 80 books of fiction and non-fiction alike.  In this first of two episodes with Michael, we talk about how a near death experience acted as a catalyst for him to pursue his dream of writing. We talked about the differences in the publishing landscape over the last decade and how he now views the idea of indie publishing as an empowering force for authors.  Join us tomorrow as we do a deep dive with Michael into character development, especially for sci fi and fantasy. https://www.michaellaronn.com/ https://authorlevelup.com/  

On today's episode of the Story Craft Café, we talk with Josh Hayes about how he found his niche where he could be successful in publishing. A retired police officer, Josh Hayes is the author of the upcoming Weaponized series, the Valor Trilogy, Stryker's War (Galaxy's Edge), the Terra Nova Chronicles w/ Richard Fox, the Tranquility series, and numerous short stories. His debut solo novel, Edge of Valor, was a finalist for the 2020 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel. He grew up a military brat, affording him the opportunity to meet several different types of people, in multiple states and foreign countries. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Air Force and served for six years, before leaving military life to work in law enforcement. During his time with the Wichita Police Department, Josh served as a patrol officer, bicycle officer, community policing officer, and was an assistant bomb technician on the Bomb Squad. His experiences in both his military life and police life have given him unique glimpses into the lives of people around him and it shows through in the characters he creates.  Josh is also the creator and president of Keystroke Medium, a popular YouTube show and podcast focused on the craft of writing. Website: www.keystrokemedium.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/keystrokemedium Josh is a co-host of the Baen Free Radio Podcast, the official podcast of Baen Books. Website: https://www.baen.com/   Novels: Weaponized (Aethon Books) Weaponized Fury, coming 2022 Weaponized Rage, coming 2022 Weaponized Wrath, coming 2022   Tranquility (Aethon Books) Blood and Steel, 2021 Battle Lines, 2021 War Fighter, coming 2022   The Valor Trilogy (Aethon Books) Edge of Valor, 2019 – 2020 Dragon Award Finalist – Best Military Science Fiction Novel Echoes of Valor, 2020 Edge of Valor, 2020   Order of the Centurion, Galaxy's Edge w/ Jason Anspach and Nick Cole (Galaxy's Edge Press) Stryker's War, 2019   The Terra Nova Chronicles w/ Richard Fox (Triplane Press) Terra Nova, 2017 Blood Lines, 2018 Wings of Redemption, 2019 Hale's War, 2019   Published Short Stories:   Blooded – A Grimm's War Story, 2022 – One Decisive Victory (Aethon Books) Open Ended Contract, 2022 – We Dare 4: Wanted, Dead or Alive (Theogeny Books) A Song of Mercy, 2022 – Talons and Talimans (New Mythology Press) Lunar Fury, 2020 – Battle Luna Anthology (Baen Books) Now You Don't, 2019 – We Dare Anthology (Theogeny Books) The Wagner Method, 2019 — Hope is Not a Strategy Anthology (Seventh Seal Press) A Prelude to Valor, 2018 — Backblast Area Clear Anthology (JR Handley) Leverage, 2017 — For a Few Credits More Anthology (Seventh Seal Press) Salvation, 2017 — Question of the Day Anthology (Clayborn Press) Harbinger, 2017 — Explorations: First Contact (Woodbridge Press) The Path to War, 2017 — Explorations: War (Woodbridge Press) Hero Worship, 2017 — It's a Bird! It's a Plane! Anthology (Steve Beaulieu) The Long Haul, 2016 — Mostly Murder: Till Death Anthology (Elemental Press) The Lost Colony, 2016 — Explorations: Through the Wormhole Anthology (Woodbridge Press)          

John Searles is the best-selling author of the novels Her Last Affair, Help for the Haunted, Strange but True and Boy Still Missing.  Hailed as “riveting” by The New York Times and “hypnotic” by Entertainment Weekly, Boy Still Missing inspired Time magazine to name him a “Person to Watch,” and the New York Daily News to name him a “New Yorker to Watch.” His second novel, Strange but True was praised as “sinister and complex” by Janet Maslin of The New York Times, “extraordinary” by Publishers Weekly, and was named best novel of the year by Salon. Help for the Haunted was named a Boston Globe Best Crime Novel of the Year, an Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Must List, and won the American Library Association's Alex Award. John's most recent novel, Her Last Affair, was named a Best New Book by People magazine and praised as "a tense, intricately woven tale of heartbreak, retribution and redemption" by Publishers Weekly and "a twisted thriller that explores despair and loneliness with cinematic flair" by Kirkus Reviews. In 2019, Strange But True was adapted for film by the producers of La La Land and released in theaters nationwide by Lionsgate. Now streaming on HBOMax and Amazon Prime, the film stars the award-winning ensemble cast of Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Brian Cox, Blythe Danner, Nick Robinson and Margaret Qualley. The movie was praised as “suspenseful and haunting” by The Hollywood Reporter and “a twisty tale of tragic secrets” by the Los Angeles Times.  John has appeared regularly on morning programs like NBC's Today Show, CBS This Morning, Live! With Regis & Kelly, NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross and CNN to discuss his books.  For 23 years, John was the books editor of Cosmopolitan, also serving as the magazine's brand director, executive editor, and editor-at-large.  His personal and travel essays, book and restaurant reviews have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post and numerous other magazines, newspapers and websites. He has a master's degree in creative writing from New York University and lives in New York.