Podcast appearances and mentions of tim grahl

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today's special episode, we're running through the best HeyCreator moments & advice from 2024 — featuring incredible creators such as Justin Welsh, Amanda Goetz, Jay Clouse, Justin Moore, Gina Bianchini, Corey Wilks Psy.D., Cam Houser, Jason Levin, Cody & Cole Hock, Nat Eliason, Khe Hy, Tim Stoddart, Darrell Vesterfelt, Tim Grahl, Bryan Harris, Rachel Rodgers, Clifton Sellers, Alexis Teichmiller, and our very own Matt Ragland & Tim Forkin. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

In this episode, keynote speaker and marketing strategist Clay Hebert shares his approach to crafting the perfect introduction.Clay breaks down why traditional elevator pitches fall short and introduces his 'verb-their-noun' formula to help you create clear, engaging, and memorable intros that foster real connections.Listen in to discover practical storytelling techniques, avoid common pitfalls, and transform how you present yourself and your business.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:58 Top Mistakes to Avoid in Your Introductions02:44 3 Common Myths About Introductions Debunked02:56 Myth 1: Why Introductions Shouldn't Be About You03:24 Myth 2: Why "Completeness" Hurts Your Intro04:16 Myth 3: The Problem with Prioritizing Accuracy in Intros05:19 How to Create Human Connection in Your Introductions08:06 The Ultimate Formula for Crafting a Perfect Introduction11:50 The Verb-Their-Noun Formula for Strong Introductions16:09 How to Avoid Buzzwords and Tell Simple, Impactful Stories20:52 How to Use Intrigue to Capture Attention in Your Intro28:37 Why Clarity Is the Key to Effective Communication31:14 Using Analogies to Make Your Introductions Clearer32:05 How to Make Your Intro Referable and Shareable34:19 How to Craft Transformation-Based Introductions That Engage35:46 How to Make Your Introduction Short, Memorable, and Impactful42:03 The Power of Storytelling in Making Memorable Intros44:03 How Customer Success Stories Can Improve Your Introduction50:04 Scalability of Effective Intros54:42 Closing ThoughtsIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one.Learn more about The Nathan Barry Show: https://nathanbarry.com/show/ Follow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry/ X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry/ Website: https://nathanbarry.com/ Follow Clay:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clayhebert/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayhebert/ X: https://twitter.com/clayhebert/ Website: https://clayhebert.com/ Featured in this episode:Clay Hebert: https://www.clayhebert.com/ Nathan Barry: https://www.nathanbarry.com/ Monster Energy: https://www.monsterenergy.com/ Liquid Death: https://www.liquiddeath.com/ Seth Godin: https://www.sethgodin.com/ Gary Vaynerchuk: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/ Jeff Spencer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjeffspencer/ Sean Stevenson: https://www.sleepsmarter.com/ Tim Grahl: https://timgrahl.com/ Kit: https://www.kit.com/ Craft & Commerce: https://conference.kit.com/ Donald Miller: https://www.donaldmiller.com/ Nisha Bora: https://rainbowplantlife.com/about/ Moo: https://www.moo.com/ Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/ Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/ Quartz: https://www.qz.com/ Highlights:03:37 Why Intros Shouldn't Be Complete09:44 How to Increase Your Luck Surface Area in Business29:34 How Clarity Drives Higher Conversion Rates42:27 The Power of Strong Copywriting47:22 Kit's Example: Using Customer Transformation Stories

This week, I talk with Tim Grahl, CEO of Story Grid and author of The Shithead, a novel that's both thrilling and deeply personal. Tim made a name for himself as a book marketer who landed multiple titles on the New York Times  Bestseller list at the same time. Tim's work with Story Grid, alongside his partner Shawn Coyne, has guided hundreds of aspiring authors in mastering the essential elements of storytelling, helping them transform “I hope I can write a book someday” into a published reality. We cover a range of topics, from Tim's journey as a book marketer to his insights on the power of structure in storytelling. We also dive into his personal experiences, including the impact of therapy on his growth as both a person and a professional. Tim's work ethic and passion for meaningful storytelling are infectious, and I think you'll find our conversation both inspiring and thought-provoking. Let's get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (05:06) - Tim's perfect vacation (11:54) - Doing work that people don't understand (15:19) - The "secret" to Tim's success (20:34) - The moment Tim knew his business was broken (31:06) - What is an object of desire? (34:10) - The problem with online courses (and how to fix it) (01:03:47) - Behind the scenes of writing a meaningful book (01:13:37) - Success and the half warm beer theory (01:18:03) - Reflecting on regret (01:24:28) - How therapy changed everything (01:32:58) - Chasing insight vs integration (01:38:19) - Tim's beautiful future (01:42:47) - Who Tim is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

I couldn't resist the subtitle, kids, sorry. It's not that shocking—but Tim's journey was definitely only for the bold.I've known Tim Grahl—or known of him—for more than a decade. I watched him help writers like Dan Pink launch their non-fiction books onto the best seller list, and devoured and followed his excellent advice about launching my own books (which you can find here at booklaunch.com). Then I watched—or rather, listened—as he pivoted into the world of fiction, enlisting editor Shaun Coyne to join him on a podcast and help him use Coyne's Storygrid method to work on what eventually, after many revisions and a whole lot of failing in public, became Tim's first novel, The Threshing. At the same time, he and Shaun were building Storygrid into what's not just a business, but a huge community of writers and editors. He's just published his second novel, The Shithead, a very different book from the first… I call it The Firm meets The Alchemist; Tim prefers Fleishman Is In Trouble meets Faust. Both work. We talk Tim's sideways journey into fiction, and then we talk craft—in particular, how to learn what you don't know, the myth of the lone writer in a cabin and the importance of feedback and then we dig into a passionate discussion of theme.You can check out The Shithead here. Links from the podBooklaunch.comStorygridShaun Coyne's book, StorygridThe Prince of Tides, Pat ConroyThe Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz ZafonThe Accidental Tourist, Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler(KJ also mentions Redhead by the Side of the Road)The Husband's Secret, What Alice Forgot by Liane MoriartyHeads up! This is probably the only time you'll see this. Join me—KJ—for Novelmber, which is very hard to pronounce but is my word for reclaiming my writing space in November. Think NaNoWriMo, our version—daily challenges and stretch goals, formatted by you, for you.There will be write-alongs, posts, a massive Google spreadsheet for sharing goals and updating progress, thoughts on how hard this is, and more than you want to know about why I need this regroup so badly. All writers, every genre, welcome. This is sign-up only—I don't plan to spam the whole #AmWriting community with my wails of writerly distress daily for an entire month—but it's also for everyone who wants in. I hope you'll join me—I don't want to go this alone. Don't worry, signing up is simple! Here's how:Click here to go to your #AmWriting account, and when you see this screen, toggle “Novelmber” from “off” (grey) to “on” (green).THAT'S IT!Once you set that up, you'll get all future Novelmber emails. Any audio or video will show up in those, along with write-along schedules. You'll also want to add yourself to the Google Sheet where we'll all record our overall goal, day's goals, daily progress and what we're feeling. I've started it off. Join me for the first write-alongs HERE. (That's a link to my Zoom Room.) I'll be sitting there: Friday, November 1 10:30-12:30 (ALL TIMES EST)Tuesday, November 5, 2:00-4:00Friday, November 8, 9:00-11:00 More times coming. Join me, help me, let's make Novelmber WORK! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Hi Friends! Although the podcast is still paused, I'm dropping into the feed this week and next with two very special conversations :) Today is a bonus episode from February for paid subscribers with Todd Sattersten, publisher and owner of Bard Press, and next week features Seth Godin and his new book, This Is Strategy. If you haven't already listened, check out part one here (episode 261) first. Todd is so committed to helping his authors succeed that he only publishes one book each year. Today he's sharing how to investigate and possibly reposition a book when a launch isn't gaining traction, his three-sentence problem statement to attract ideal readers, and why the Table of Contents and first chapter are essential parts of the marketing process.

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today's episode of The HeyCreator Show, we're running an audio-only version of Tim Grahl's presentation at the HeyCreator Summit. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice Use Automatic Evergreen to send profitable newsletters on autopilot

How do you know if you're actually getting better at writing? In this episode, my guest, Tim Grahl, the CEO of Story Grid and the author of multiple books, both fiction and non-fiction, shares his answer to this question. Tim believes that his new book, The Shithead, is the best book he's ever written—and I happen to agree with him! So, how did he get here? What did he do to become a better writer? And more importantly, what can YOU learn from Tim's story to become a better writer yourself? Tune into this episode to hear things like:[04:26] Where the idea for Tim's new novel, The Shithead, came from, and how he blended real life with fiction to create a compelling story[13:18] How Tim went from brainstorming to finished draft in about six months—and why spending time upfront to plan the foundational elements of the story saved him a ton of time (and stress) in the long run[15:15] Tim shares what he believes to be the secret to writing the best book he's ever written (spoiler alert: it's learning how to write a really good scene!)[32:46] Tim's plans for launching and marketing this book—you won't want to miss this part. Tim is the book launch guy, and his insights are golden!If you've ever wondered what it takes to become a better writer—and what you can do to practice your craft in a meaningful way—then you're going to love this episode!⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Join us for a discussion about listening to your customers and how it can help you uncover hidden opportunities. Tim Grahl is the CEO of Story Grid Publishing. One of my favorite parts of this interview is when Tim talks about how he interviewed over 500 customers to get to the heart of his business. Storytelling framework for business Tim explains his framework for crafting a resonant story - deeply understanding his target audience through hundreds of customer interviews to uncover their true motivations and pain points, then aligning the company's messaging and offerings to directly address those needs. Empowering employees with the company vision Tim discusses how he sets a clear vision for the company and communicates it to his growing team. He emphasizes the importance of giving employees autonomy, making observations and asking questions rather than dictating, and ensuring they understand how their work connects to the overall mission. Tim also shares his approach to addressing problems as opportunities for improvement rather than crises. Staying connected to customers as the business scales As Storygrid has grown from 5 to 15 employees, Tim has maintained a regular cadence of customer calls and exit interviews to stay closely connected to his audience. He explains how this helps him anticipate issues, make data-driven improvements, and ensure the company's offerings continue to meet customer needs even as the business scales. Gratitude for a key business mentor Tim expresses gratitude for his business coach, Michael Walsh of Walsh Business Growth, who has been instrumental in guiding Tim to build out systems and empower his team as the company has grown, rather than trying to do everything himself. You can learn more about Tim Grahl over at Story Grid Publishing. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I'll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Tim Grahl, CEO and publisher of Story Grid. He discusses the process of writing and publishing books, emphasizing the importance of developing writing skills and receiving expert feedback. He also highlights the power of storytelling and the impact that books can have on readers.  Tim Grahl dedicates himself to helping authors craft better narratives and bring their work to readers. His expertise lies in applying the Story Grid methodology to fiction and nonfiction, guiding writers through creating compelling, well-structured stories. Under Tim's leadership, Story Grid has become a valuable resource for authors seeking to refine their craft and successfully navigate the publishing landscape. His book, “The Shithead: A Novel in Fifty Songs,” is set to be released on the 19th of September this year.   Key Takeaways Writing is a skill that requires deliberate practice and expert feedback. Start by writing short scenes before attempting to write an entire novel. Books have the power to leave a legacy and impact readers. Expert feedback is crucial for improving writing skills. More About Tim Grahl: Add Tim Grahl on LinkedIn Check out his Website Grab a copy of The Shithead: A Novel in Fifty Songs Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Click here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-duct-tape-marketing-podcast/id78797836 scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about the episode. Connect with John Jantsch on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ducttapemarketing/ Are you stuck trying to figure out your marketing strategy? Get Your Free AI Prompts To Build A Marketing Strategy HERE - dtm.world/freeprompts   Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please! Connect with John Jantsch on LinkedIn  

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I chat with author and Story Grid CEO Tim Grahl. We discuss Tim's challenging yet rewarding journey from struggling writer to accomplished author, highlighting the importance of mastering scene writing and the rigorous learning process that led to his new novel, "The Shithead," dubbed as Faust meets Fleishman Is In Trouble.Tim shares his beliefs about the significance of building fundamental writing skills first. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the writing craft and the internal narratives that shape their work.00:22 Welcome to Write It Scared01:24 Interview with Tim Grahl04:13 Tim Grahl's Writing Journey08:22 The Shithead: A Deep Dive19:33 Writing Process and Techniques27:32 The Importance of Learning to Write In Scenes30:42 Final Thoughts and FarewellGuest Bio: Tim Grahl is the C.E.O. of Story Grid, a university and publishing house dedicated to teaching and publishing complex stories. He is the author of the bestselling book marketing methodology and protocol, Your First Thousand Copies and The Book Launch Blueprint. His memoir Running Down a Dream, a warts and all confession of the trials and tribulations of a contemporary small business owner, drew accolades from Ryan Holiday, Barbara Corcoran, Daniel H. Pink, Derek Sivers, and Steven Pressfield, who described it as “Indispensable.” The writing of his first novel, a young adult science fiction coming-of-age action story, The Threshing, was the subject of the first three years of the Story Grid Podcast, a perennial chart-topper on multiple podcast bestseller lists.Connect with Tim Grahl and read the Shithead here. Story GridStory Grid's  YouTube ChannelSupport the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!   In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, we are continuing our series about how to write a book and use it to help grow your business. We have spoken with multiple experts who help you get started, and now we are moving onto the next level - marketing the book! Marketing is extremely important because it can lead directly to people hiring you before your book's even published. To talk to us about it, I sat down with return guest Tim Grahl. He's one of the top book marketing experts in the world and he is going to show us how we can do this and do it well.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:    The shift in how people see you when they hear you are an author of a book The key to marketing your book in a way that will win you business The true power of a book The key to getting clients before your book even publishes How to actually use your book to get more leads  The difference in how you market different types of books   The impact a book can have on your business is truly mind-blowing when you know how to market it. Everyone you meet should get a copy of your book. You'll be amazed at how it opens doors that were closed to you in the past!   I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Tim! If you are interested in learning more from him, you can check out his books on Amazon.    Resources Mentioned: Get a copy of Tim's books   Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!  

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!   In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, we are continuing our series about how to write a book and use it to help grow your business. We have spoken with multiple experts who help you get started, and now we are moving onto the next level - marketing the book! Marketing is extremely important because it can lead directly to people hiring you before your book's even published. To talk to us about it, I sat down with return guest Tim Grahl. He's one of the top book marketing experts in the world and he is going to show us how we can do this and do it well.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:    The shift in how people see you when they hear you are an author of a book The key to marketing your book in a way that will win you business The true power of a book The key to getting clients before your book even publishes How to actually use your book to get more leads  The difference in how you market different types of books   The impact a book can have on your business is truly mind-blowing when you know how to market it. Everyone you meet should get a copy of your book. You'll be amazed at how it opens doors that were closed to you in the past!   I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Tim! If you are interested in learning more from him, you can check out his books on Amazon.    Resources Mentioned: Get a copy of Tim's books   Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!  

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!   In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, we are continuing our series about how to write a book and use it to help grow your business. We have spoken with multiple experts who help you get started, and now we are moving onto the next level - marketing the book! Marketing is extremely important because it can lead directly to people hiring you before your book's even published. To talk to us about it, I sat down with return guest Tim Grahl. He's one of the top book marketing experts in the world and he is going to show us how we can do this and do it well.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:    The shift in how people see you when they hear you are an author of a book The key to marketing your book in a way that will win you business The true power of a book The key to getting clients before your book even publishes How to actually use your book to get more leads  The difference in how you market different types of books   The impact a book can have on your business is truly mind-blowing when you know how to market it. Everyone you meet should get a copy of your book. You'll be amazed at how it opens doors that were closed to you in the past!   I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Tim! If you are interested in learning more from him, you can check out his books on Amazon.    Resources Mentioned: Get a copy of Tim's books   Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!  

Join Savannah Gilbo and Abigail for the second part of an inside interview with Tim Grahl, CEO of Story Grid, on our latest book, a masterwork analysis guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (now available for purchase!). In this interview, we discuss how Rowling created an unforgettable cast of quirky and relatable characters in the Harry Potter series. You'll learn insights and tips like: How to think about the number of characters you include in your story (and what we can learn from the characters Rowling highlighted in book one). How to write a dynamic cast of characters that can help your protagonist grow and change (and, in Harry's case, harm or aid his ability to survive). How Rowling layered the forces of antagonism Harry faces in this first book (and why this was necessary based on his age and skill level). How point of view choice affects our interpretation of the events in the story—and influences whether we classify certain characters as “good” or “evil.” And so much more… If you like this episode, you'll LOVE our book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide. Follow the link to order a copy and learn how to improve your writing craft today.

What made Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone a worldwide bestseller? Why does this story still resonate with readers almost thirty years later? And why did Savannah Gilbo and I agree to spend so much time dissecting every single scene and page to find out how and why it works?! Tune into this episode to hear Savannah Gilbo and I talk to Tim Grahl (the CEO of Story Grid) about what it was like to study Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone—why we chose this book, what we learned from our analysis, and so much more. ⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Lit Match podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're so fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too!

J.K. Rowling is the master of layering things within her scenes. She's also fantastic at raising the stakes from scene to scene, too. But how does she do itTune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry and I talk to Tim Grahl (the CEO of Story Grid) about what it was like to study Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone—what we learned from J.K. Rowling about writing scenes and so much more.⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Ever wonder how Rowling created such a fantastic, three-dimensional story world for her Harry Potter series?That's exactly what you'll hear in this week's brand-new podcast episode! Join me, Abigail K. Perry, and Tim Grahl, as we discuss the world-building in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone—and what we learned from our analysis of this mega best seller.You'll hear us talk about things like:[02:38] How Rowling built a fantastic story world ripe for life and death conflicts (but in a way that's age-appropriate for middle-grade readers)[04:39] How Rowling focused on fleshing out the world-building details that mattered for book one—and introduced them to readers right alongside Harry[08:18] How to think about your own world-building (spoiler alert: you don't need to have everything figured out or perfectly mapped in your early drafts!)[12:43] How Rowling made every detail of her world count—and how she used those details to hide important plot clues and encourage character development[16:27] And so much more…If you like this episode, you'll LOVE my book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide. Click here to pre-order a copy and get access to a collection of bonuses in addition to a copy of the book.⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Ever wonder how Rowling created such a wonderful cast of quirky and relatable characters in the Harry Potter series? If so, tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry, Tim Grahl, and me talk about the characters in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. You'll hear us talk about things like:[02:32] How to think about the number of characters you include in your story (and what we can learn from the characters Rowling highlighted in book one)[09:17] How to write a dynamic cast of characters that can help your protagonist grow and change (and, in Harry's case, aid or harm his ability to survive)[09:49] Why Rowling layered the forces of antagonism Harry faces in this first book (and why this was necessary based on his age and skill level)[17:07] How point of view choice affects our interpretation of the events in the story—and influences whether we classify certain characters as “good” or “evil”[20:26] And so much more…If you like this episode, you'll LOVE my book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide. Click here to pre-order a copy and get access to a collection of bonuses in addition to a copy of the book.⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

What made Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone a worldwide bestseller? Why does this story still resonate with readers almost thirty years later?And why did Abiagial and I agree to spend so much time dissecting every single scene and page to find out how and why it works?!Tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry and I talk to Tim Grahl (the CEO of Story Grid) about what it was like to study Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone—why we chose this book, what we learned from our analysis, and so much more.⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

What does it take to write a book that keeps selling far into the future? What is the art and science behind writing an amazing book? Tim Grahl is legitimately one of the best book marketers in the world, once simultaneously having five authors on the New York Times Bestseller list. He knows everyone in the industry, everything about the industry, and he's sharing his secrets with us this week.Discover what it takes to create a book that stands the test of time and makes money for decades. We're discussing books that are an example of what to do in this industry, and Tim is discussing how he uses a perfectly executed flywheel in his business Story Grid.If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. 

writing coach Kevin T. Johns says goodbye to The Story Grid Podcast, which published its final episode last week. Kevin discusses the importance of the podcast, and his admiration for its hosts Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl, and explains how their podcast was a profound act of generosity for both writing coaches and students of writer's craft.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of Crazy Rich Asians at https://storygrid.com/crazy.What can writers learn from studying this 2018 film?This is the final in a four part series analyzing Crazy Rich Asians. The screenplay was written by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim and the movie was based on a 2013 book of the same title written by Kevin Kwan.This episode is hosted by Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl, writer and CEO of Story Grid.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of Crazy Rich Asians at https://storygrid.com/crazy.What can writers learn from studying this 2018 film?This is the second in a four part series analyzing Crazy Rich Asians. The screenplay was written by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim and the movie was based on a 2013 book of the same title written by Kevin Kwan.This episode is hosted by Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl, writer and CEO of Story Grid.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of Crazy Rich Asians at https://storygrid.com/crazy.What can writers learn from studying this 2018 film?This is the first in a four part series analyzing Crazy Rich Asians. The screenplay was written by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim and the movie was based on a 2013 book of the same title written by Kevin Kwan.This episode is hosted by Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl, writer and CEO of Story Grid.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of Crazy Rich Asians at https://storygrid.com/crazy.What can writers learn from studying this 2018 film?This is the first in a four part series analyzing Crazy Rich Asians. The screenplay was written by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim and the movie was based on a 2013 book of the same title written by Kevin Kwan.This episode is hosted by Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl, writer and CEO of Story Grid.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of John Wick at https://storygrid.com/wick.This is the final in a four part series analyzing the movie John Wick using the Story Grid methodology. This 2014 movie, written by Derek Kolstad, is a genre leading action movie.Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl start by looking at the Story Grid Five Leaf Genre Clover before diving into the quadrants and controlling idea.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of John Wick at https://storygrid.com/wick.This is the third in a four part series analyzing the movie John Wick using the Story Grid methodology. This 2014 movie, written by Derek Kolstad, is a genre leading action movie.Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl start by looking at the Story Grid Five Leaf Genre Clover before diving into the quadrants and controlling idea.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of John Wick at https://storygrid.com/wick.This is the second in a four part series analyzing the movie John Wick using the Story Grid methodology. This 2014 movie, written by Derek Kolstad, is a genre leading action movie.Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl start by looking at the Story Grid Five Leaf Genre Clover before diving into the quadrants and controlling idea.

Access the full Story Grid analysis of John Wick at https://storygrid.com/wick.This is the first in a four part series analyzing the movie John Wick using the Story Grid methodology. This 2014 movie, written by Derek Kolstad, is a genre leading action movie.Story Grid Certified Editor Rachel Arsenault (https://www.rachel-arsenault.com) and Tim Grahl start by looking at the Story Grid Five Leaf Genre Clover before diving into the quadrants and controlling idea.

In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I sat down with Brittany Hodak, the author of Creating Super Fans. This ties in directly with the things we cover on the show such as deepening relationships, so I am happy to have her on to talk about the idea of creating super fans and why it's important to grow your book of business.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:    Why it's important to create super fans  Why you should be creating experiences that people love The five-step framework to creating super fans for your business Tips for fine-tuning your story Why testimonials are so powerful Getting clarity on what your audience wants or needs Why you should start with your empathy over authority Personalizing your customer's experience Why you should try to exceed expectations for your clients Creating net positive experiences   I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Brittany. As she says, your brand isn't what you say it is, it's actually what your clients tell their friends about you. By following Brittany's SUPER framework, you can create super fans that love your work and share it with everyone they know.   If you enjoyed this conversation and want to learn more about Brittany, make sure to check out her website here. If you want to read her book, you can check it out here.    Resources Mentioned: Visit Brittany's website Get a copy of Brittany's book Check out Tim Grahl's podcast episode Listen to the  Storytelling episode This YouTube with an interview of Joseph Sugarman

In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I sat down with Brittany Hodak, the author of Creating Super Fans. This ties in directly with the things we cover on the show such as deepening relationships, so I am happy to have her on to talk about the idea of creating super fans and why it's important to grow your book of business.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:  Why it's important to create super fans  Why you should be creating experiences that people love The five-step framework to creating super fans for your business Tips for fine-tuning your story Why testimonials are so powerful Getting clarity on what your audience wants or needs Why you should start with your empathy over authority Personalizing your customer's experience Why you should try to exceed expectations for your clients Creating net positive experiences   I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Brittany. As she says, your brand isn't what you say it is, it's actually what your clients tell their friends about you. By following Brittany's SUPER framework, you can create super fans that love your work and share it with everyone they know.   If you enjoyed this conversation and want to learn more about Brittany, make sure to check out her website here. If you want to read her book, you can check it out here.    Resources Mentioned: Visit Brittany's website Get a copy of Brittany's book Check out Tim Grahl's podcast episode Listen to the  Storytelling episode This YouTube with an interview of Joseph Sugarman

In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I sat down with Brittany Hodak, the author of Creating Super Fans. This ties in directly with the things we cover on the show such as deepening relationships, so I am happy to have her on to talk about the idea of creating super fans and why it's important to grow your book of business.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:    Why it's important to create super fans  Why you should be creating experiences that people love The five-step framework to creating super fans for your business Tips for fine-tuning your story Why testimonials are so powerful Getting clarity on what your audience wants or needs Why you should start with your empathy over authority Personalizing your customer's experience Why you should try to exceed expectations for your clients Creating net positive experiences   I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Brittany. As she says, your brand isn't what you say it is, it's actually what your clients tell their friends about you. By following Brittany's SUPER framework, you can create super fans that love your work and share it with everyone they know.   If you enjoyed this conversation and want to learn more about Brittany, make sure to check out her website here. If you want to read her book, you can check it out here.    Resources Mentioned: Visit Brittany's website Get a copy of Brittany's book Check out Tim Grahl's podcast episode Listen to the  Storytelling episode This YouTube with an interview of Joseph Sugarman

  One of the top skills that people need to learn in business is how to tell great stories. In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I have one of the world's experts on this topic, Tim Grahl. He has one foot in deep expertise and one foot in building a book of business, just like all of you so he is the perfect person to talk to. He's diving into the details of what types of stories you need and how to fine-tune them so you can use them to grow your business.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:    Helping people feel like the hero in their own story The types of stories you need to have ready to use Overcoming objections with a story The power of a professional origin story The five commandments of storytelling  Tips for fine-tuning your stories Bringing emotion into your stories The importance of knowing your wrong  How Tim stays on track   Having a professional origin story, a testimonial story, and a story for overcoming objections is so powerful when it comes to growing your business. I hope these tips today from Tim will help you prepare some stories that you can use to grow your business and your career.    If you are interested in writing better stories, you can get a free copy of Story Grid 101 at storygrid101.com. You can also visit storygrid.com/books to check out Tim's books.    Resources Mentioned: Listen to my conversation with Brian Caffarelli  Get your free copy of Story Grid 101 Check out Tim's book

One of the top skills that people need to learn in business is how to tell great stories. In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I have one of the world's experts on this topic, Tim Grahl. He has one foot in deep expertise and one foot in building a book of business, just like all of you so he is the perfect person to talk to. He's diving into the details of what types of stories you need and how to fine-tune them so you can use them to grow your business.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:  Helping people feel like the hero in their own story The types of stories you need to have ready to use Overcoming objections with a story The power of a professional origin story The five commandments of storytelling  Tips for fine-tuning your stories Bringing emotion into your stories The importance of knowing your wrong  How Tim stays on track   Having a professional origin story, a testimonial story, and a story for overcoming objections is so powerful when it comes to growing your business. I hope these tips today from Tim will help you prepare some stories that you can use to grow your business and your career.    If you are interested in writing better stories, you can get a free copy of Story Grid 101 at storygrid101.com. You can also visit storygrid.com/books to check out Tim's books.    Resources Mentioned: Listen to my conversation with Brian Caffarelli  Get your free copy of Story Grid 101 Check out Tim's book

  One of the top skills that people need to learn in business is how to tell great stories. In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I have one of the world's experts on this topic, Tim Grahl. He has one foot in deep expertise and one foot in building a book of business, just like all of you so he is the perfect person to talk to. He's diving into the details of what types of stories you need and how to fine-tune them so you can use them to grow your business.    Topics We Cover in This Episode:    Helping people feel like the hero in their own story The types of stories you need to have ready to use Overcoming objections with a story The power of a professional origin story The five commandments of storytelling  Tips for fine-tuning your stories Bringing emotion into your stories The importance of knowing your wrong  How Tim stays on track   Having a professional origin story, a testimonial story, and a story for overcoming objections is so powerful when it comes to growing your business. I hope these tips today from Tim will help you prepare some stories that you can use to grow your business and your career.    If you are interested in writing better stories, you can get a free copy of Story Grid 101 at storygrid101.com. You can also visit storygrid.com/books to check out Tim's books.    Resources Mentioned: Listen to my conversation with Brian Caffarelli  Get your free copy of Story Grid 101 Check out Tim's book Mo's origin story example Joseph Campbell's interview with Bill Moyers, The Power Of Myth Joseph Campbell's book on story narrative, The Hero With A Thousand Faces Mo's deep dive into BIG's story design framework

Mindset, goal setting, and the stories writers tell themselves.Today we're thrilled to be talking with Sue Campbell from Pages & Platforms. She's a certified Book Launch Coach from Tim Grahl's BookLaunch.com, and has worked with hundreds of authors, helping them spend their limited time and resources wisely and give their books their best chance in the world.Join Sue's Happily Ever Author ClubFinal Question: What's your big goal? Let's chat on the Facebook page @AuthorWheelFeatured Resource: The Top 5 Roadblocks Aspiring Authors Must Overcome, available for free when you join our newsletter at www.AuthorWheel.com/stuff.Follow Us! The Author Wheel:Website: www.AuthorWheel.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheelGreta Boris:Website: www.GretaBoris.comFacebook: @GretaBorisAuthorInstagram: @GretaBorisMegan Haskell:Website: www.MeganHaskell.comFacebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor Support the showFREE Mini Email CourseHave you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel's new mini-course might be your solution. 7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language. Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it's free. Click here to learn more!

What does it take to launch your book and build a fanbase? What do most writers misunderstand about the craft of writing and launching their book? Tim Grahl has dedicated the last 10 years of his life helping over 100 authors – from bestsellers to first time writers – get their books into the hands of more readers. In this episode we talk about smart and authentic marketing steps every writer can take to find their first 1000 readers and give their book a chance of reaching the bestselling lists. We also dive into Tim's memoir Running Down a Dream and talk about writing about devastation and grief.Tim Grahl has worked with authors like Dan Pink, Ramit Sethi, Shawn Coyne, Pamela Slim, Dan and Chip Heath and has launched dozens of books to the top of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other bestseller lists. He also runs  The Story Grid podcast, where he had his own book edited live by editor Shawn Coyne. Tim has written books on building an audience: Your First 1000 Copies; on building a business: Running Down a Dream, He has also been the architect behind the hugely successful Story Grid writing community and works with Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne at Black Irish Publishing.*SHOW NOTES[03:46] Tim talks about the vulnerability of being critiqued live on The Story Grid podcast with Editor Shawn Coyne[09:38] How to build the right audience, and the benefits of learning in public for accountability[12:12] How a successful book launch always starts with a good plan[12:23] What went wrong with The Threshing's launch, and the things Tim did right to market The Sand and Sea (280,000-word epic fantasy) [15:38] Why it's harder to get people to read a book than buy one, and what Tim and his team did to sell The Sand and Sea[19:38] Building an email list as the number one marketing tactic sell and promote your book[23:51] The importance of building a habit and why being consistent is better than doing one big push on anything that you do[26:22] Tim's advice for those who are trying to build their email list, and why you should treat the process as an adventure. Plus how to get your first 100 subscribers.[30:56] The value of being consistent in whatever you do[32:25] Tim's definition of marketing[34:07] The story behind Tim's memoir, Running Down a Dream, the dream he was running down and how it's evolved over time*QUOTES FROM TIM GRAHL“If you see any books that are still selling ten years after they came out, it's not because the publishing house did an amazing job marketing the book ten years ago. I think of it as a rocketship. If you turn off the engine when it's halfway out of that atmosphere, it's going to crash down to earth every single time. So if you can just get it out of the atmosphere, now we can see if it's going to live on its own. And that's how I think of marketing a book is the job of the publisher / author is to get that book out of the atmosphere. And the goal is to get 10,000 people to read the book. At that point, you find out if the book's going to fly on its own because, again, I can force 10,000. I can't force a million or five hundred thousand or a hundred thousand.”*RESOURCESStory Grid Podcast by Shawn Coyne and Tim GrahlRunning Down A DreamBook LaunchMentioned authors:Dan PinkRamit SethiPamela SlimDan and Chip HeathRyan HolidayJames ClearSteven PressfieldJeff GoinsMentioned books of Tim Grahl:Your First 1000Running Down A DreamThe ThreshingOther books mentioned:Tales of Iceland by Stephen MarkelySave The Cat! By Robert MckeeMachine Man by Max BarryThe Sand and Sea by Michael McClellanThe War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle by Steven PressfieldAtomic Habits by James ClearThe Amazing Scrolls of Wonder by M.J. ThomasThe Dip by Seth GodinAnything You Want by Derek SiversOthers:Hugh MacLeod - author and cartoonistConvertKit - a marketing platformMatt's blog post where he mentioned Chris Guillebeau's booksSong: Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom PettyDerek Sivers' CD BabyJoe Rogan's podcastElizabeth Gilbert - journalist and author*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.comTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen

Is it first or third person? Past or present tense?As you'll see in this week's podcast episode, Point of View is about way more than this.See more here:https://storygrid.com/point-of-view/A story's global Point of View includes the technical choices writers make to deliver the story to the reader. The POP premise and Narrative Device suggest Point of View combinations that create the effect of the story told by the Author to the single Audience member.Person refers to the vantage point from which the written story is presented the reader.First Person: I (or we) wrote a story.Second Person: You wrote a story.Third Person: Alex (or she or he or they) wrote a story.Tense distinguishes the timeframe of the story.Past: I wrote a scene.Present: You write (or are writing) a scene.Future: Alex will write a scene.Mode: The final technical choice focuses on how the information is presented. This is the storytelling Mode.Showing is an objective and immediate mode that creates the effect of being present and observing the events of the story. Here are some examples.First Person: The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsSecond Person: Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerneyThird Person: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín, or “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest HemingwayTelling is a subjective mode that readers experience as if someone or something is collecting, collating, and sharing the events and circumstances of the story.First Person: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, or Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen FieldingSecond Person: “How to Be an Other Woman” by Lorrie Moore.Third Person: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin, Animal Farm by George Orwell, or Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa CatherListen as Shawn Coyne, Tim Grahl, Leslie Watts, and Danielle Kiowski work through the Point of View for the the short story EYE WITNESS by Ed McBain: https://www.amazon.com/McBain-Brief-Ed-ebook/dp/B01KFBQEY4/This is a Episode 254 of the Story Grid Podcast - https://storygrid.com/podcast

What is one of the greatest business ideas you've learned from a book?If you're like me, it may be hard to choose just *ONE* because you've gained SO many phenomenal business growth strategies through reading.Well, today's guest, Chad Allen, is here to share why authoring a book of your own is THE best way to grow a business and set yourself apart as an authority in your niche.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why putting your business ideas and knowledge into a book is the key to unlocking hard-to-reach media opportunitiesThe reason authoring a book is one of the surest business growth strategies AND best ways to be seen as an expertThe practical tips you need to get writing, so you can grow a business nowSpeaking of books, be sure to grab a copy of Your First 1000 Copies by Tim Grahl that Chad spoke about in this interview! If this episode inspires you, leave a review and share your biggest takeaway with me. And while you've got your phone out, make sure to follow me on Instagram @thecourtneyelmer for more quick tips on how to streamline your business systems and spend more time in your zone of genius.Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.

Mentioned: - Wheel of Time trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fus4Xb_TLg - Les Mis flash mob - https://youtu.be/Cn8PiqIXEjQ  - Dancer in the Dark movie - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168629/ - Three Time Travelers Walk Into... Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/667435382/three-time-travelers-walk-into - Writing Excuses Episode 16.35 What is the MICE quotient? https://writingexcuses.com/2021/08/29/16-35-what-is-the-m-i-c-e-quotient/ - The myth of too busy - https://booklaunch.com/the-myth-of-too-busy/ - Running Down a Dream by Tim Grahl - https://amzn.to/3n5TpX9   The My Imaginary Friends podcast is a weekly, behind the scenes look at the journey of a working author navigating traditional and self-publishing. Join fantasy and paranormal romance author L. Penelope as she shares insights on the writing life, creativity, inspiration, and this week's best thing. Subscribe and view show notes at: https://lpenelope.com/podcast | Get the Footnotes newsletter - http://lpen.co/footnotes Support the show - http://frolic.media/podcasts! Stay in touch with me! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Music credit: Say Good Night by Joakim Karud https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported— CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/SZkVShypKgM Affiliate Disclosure: I may receive compensation for links to products on this site either directly or indirectly via affiliate links. Heartspell Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Today’s episode of Indie Author Weekly is a special episode—our very first interview of another author on the show! We interview Kitty Chambliss of Living Without Boundaries.  This is the podcast for indie authors, aspiring authors, and curious bookworms who want the inside scoop, tips and motivation, and behind-the-scenes journey of writing and self-publishing books.   In today's episode, your host Sagan Morrow interviews her fellow polyamorous indie author, Kitty Chambliss, about her experiences with writing "The Jealousy Survival Guide." Questions we explore in this episode include:  Tell us a little more about yourself with regards to your author journey. What led you to writing the Jealousy Survival Guide? What do you feel about jealousy being the opposite of compersion? How was your experience with writing the book? Where were you at with your work, at the point that you wrote this book and published it? You are a #1 best selling author—congratulations! I’m sure our listeners would love to know, do you have any secrets when it comes to marketing and getting onto that bestseller list? Your book is available in audio format, which I've always been intrigued by, and also a little intimidated about doing for my own books! Can you tell us a little about how you got to the point of doing that, and what was involved? You've also contributed to several other books. What was it like to participate in those projects?  What was the hardest part of writing your book... and what was the best part? Why did you decide to be an indie author, rather than go the traditional publishing route? Do you have any other book projects in the works? Where can listeners learn more about you?  TUNE IN NOW to get the inside scoop!  Resources & links mentioned in this episode: Get podcast and book updates delivered to your inbox at SaganMorrow.com/behindthescenes .Learn more about all of Sagan's books (including the Polyamorous Passions series and the business books) at SaganMorrow.com/books .Loving Without Boundaries podcast, blog, books, community, & polyamorous resources, plus free masterclass about jealousy .Jealousy Survival Guide book by Kitty Chambliss .Episode 163 of the Loving Without Boundaries podcast (Sagan's guest appearance on Kitty's show) ."Book launch guru" Tim Grahl .Reach out to Sagan on Twitter or Instagram: @Saganlives .Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at SaganMorrow.com/podcast .Subscribe, rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts .Let's chat about this episode:@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram .Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly .Email hello@saganmorrow.com .Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) in this survey at SaganMorrow.com/question Support the show (https://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast)

In this talking shop episode, we reviewed two different writing tools. Ashley's choice this month was The Elements of Style (4th Edition) by William Strunk Jr and E.B. White, and Sarah reviewed the Story Grid, with the book being written by Shawn Coyne, and the accompanying podcast produced by Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl. In our leisure reading time, Sarah talked about Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, and Ashley discussed The King Must Die by Mary Renault.

Victoria is the founder of the Victoria Bennion Podcast Booking Agency where she works with entrepreneurs, coaches and authors to build their brands and grow their businesses through leveraging podcast interviews. Victoria is a trained journalist, qualified marketer and experienced social media manager. She has been helping authors and businesses reach their goals with effective marketing solutions for almost twenty years. After taking one of Tim Grahl's courses she was introduced to the power of podcast interviews. Once Victoria experienced the phenomenal impact podcast interviews had on her clients, this becomes her sole focus. Victoria and her team have booked hundreds of podcast interviews, helping her clients establish their authority, build their platforms and share their messages with the world. Victoria lives in Dorset, England with her husband, two children, two rabbits, a cat and her parents. In her spare time, Victoria writes for children and is a member of the Golden Egg Academy. Connect with Victoria: www.victoriabennion.com https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBennionUK https://twitter.com/vicbennion https://twitter.com/victoriabennion https://www.instagram.com/victoriabennion/

This season we're launching a series of interviews with authors of middle grade fiction. First up, Valerie Francis, author of Nature Knights, Crossing the Rubicon, a middle grade fantasy. Valerie Francis is both author and Certified Story Grid Editor. She has published fiction for both women (love stories for busy women) and children (middle grade fantasy), and is currently working on her first thriller. As a bona fide story nerd, her passion for the craft of storytelling led her to become a Certified Story Grid Editor in 2017. Her non-fiction credits include a Story Grid Guide to Bram Stoker's Dracula (publication TBA) and regular articles for the Fundamental Fridays column on Shawn Coyne's Story Grid website. Valerie co-hosts two podcasts for writers. The first, The Story Grid Editor Roundtable, is focused on the craft of writing. Each week Valerie, along with four fellow Certified Story Grid Editors, analyze a film according to the editing method developed by Shawn Coyne. The second is focused entirely on book marketing. On The Book Launch Show, Valerie learns how to develop a relationship with her readers from book marketing expert, Tim Grahl.

Ideas for managing overwhelm and burnout.   Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 17, Season Two, and it's 7/17//2019 as I record this. In Season Two, I'll be talking about Mindset and Work/Life Balance, and all the things that might fall under that category. If you have a particular topic you want to discuss or a question you want the answer to, please contact email me at valerie@ValerieIhsanAuthor.com.   But first Author Life segment: I've been thinking a lot about ways that I can help the writing community and that means YOU. I do have a coaching program that I'm designing with the help of business coach Racheal Cook, MBA--she does the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast. Highly recommend it! And also with the help of some author friends and some prior students. There are a lot of writing coaches out there and I want to make sure I can stand out in the crowd, and offer the help that writers need. Mostly, right now, that means I'm looking at what my strengths are and how I can translate that into a viable service that writers will pay for. Because, maybe like you, I want to make a living with my writing and with my author brain. Minnesota was a great experience. I reconnected with my sister, whom I hadn't seen in twelve years, back when we were more judgmental people. ;-) I'M READING: In fiction, The Reckoning by Louise Penny. And before that, Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. Non-fiction: Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit: Learn it and use it for life. (Recommended by Racheal Cook.) I'd like to remind everybody that this podcast is sponsored by my supporters at Patreon. And being a patron of the arts is a totally cool thing to do. Joining my Patreon community also gets you sneak peeks into my creative world. For less than a $1/month, less than a pack of gum, you too can become a patron of the arts, and me! Find me at: Patreon.com/valerieihsan.    Resources: Promote Yourself to CEO podcast by Racheal Cook, MBA   Main topic: Taking a day off vs. Goofing off (Managing Overwhelm and Pre-Burnout)   Taking time off to recharge is a necessity. Everyone seems to agree with that, but lots of entrepreneurs, stay at home parents, and grad students seem to agree with it in principle, rather than reality.   I'm good at taking time off when I need it. Saying Yes to myself, watching British gardening shows and Queer Eye on Netflix, or diving into a novel with a dog on my lap. Even napping or sitting in the hot tub when the day has just gone wonky. BUT, I'm afraid I'll Yes myself into laziness.   Where's the line between taking the day off and goofing off?  I know. And I bet you do, too. The trick, I think, is to plan ahead--like budgeting--for the inevitable need to take time off--trying not to have it happen during a deadline or when my reputation, client satisfaction, or money are on the line. I could plan one afternoon a week off to recharge. I could say Yes to myself until I detox and naturally want to create and accomplish. (For burnout or extreme overwhelm.) I could scale back and lighten my load so that overwhelm doesn't happen as frequently. (Requires some checking in and time budgeting.) I could start saying No to things I want to do. I've mastered the saying No to things I DONT want to do. Create systems so that projects take less time to do. (I'm still working on that. Read Running Down a Dream by Tim Grahl for help with that.)   In conclusion, when overwhelm or burnout occur, try on a little compassion. Things don't always go according to plan. Course correction, making a new plan, or sitting out the next dance are all successful tactics of successful authors.   What do you do when you hit overwhelm?

Today's Flash Back Friday comes from Episode 117, from November 2013. Tim Grahl is the Chief Thinker of the Out:think Group and author of, Your First 1000 Copies: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book. He joins the show to discuss how any book can sell at least 1,000 copies on Amazon.   Website: Out:Think Group

Welcome to Episode 52 of The Art & Business of Writing podcast. This week, I am joined again by New York Times bestselling author John David Mann. If you remember, John joined me for the first time on Episode 17. John is back and this time he's talking his new book, "The Recipe" and what he did when 40 publishers rejected it. John shares what he learned as he dove into the world of self-publishing and how he merged his knowledge of the traditional publishing world into self-publishing.   Learn more about John here: http://www.JohnDavidMann.com John recommends: The Book Launch Blueprint by Tim Grahl

Freedom. A New Life. How do you stop working for money, get freedom, but still pay the bills? All this and more with Tim Grahl - best-selling author, entrepreneur, and book marketing expert - as we go deep into how to actually build a life that has real freedom.

Author and entrepreneur Tim Grahl is the guest on episode 22 of The Author Biz. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into author platforms. We'll discuss specific strategies and tactics you can use to give yourself the best possible chance of building a platform that can support your work for years to come. […] The post TAB 022: Building your Author Platform – With Tim Grahl appeared first on .

Tim is the founder of Out:think and the author of Your First 1000 Copies: The Step by Step Guide to Marketing Your Book. He helps authors build their platform, connect with readers and sell more books.