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How can indie authors raise their game through academic-style rigour? How might AI tools fit into a thoughtful research process without replacing the joy of discovery? Melissa Addey explores the intersection of scholarly discipline, creative writing, and the practical realities of building an author career. In the intro, mystery and thriller tropes [Wish I'd Known Then]; The differences between trad and indie in 2026 [Productive Indie Fiction Writer]; Five phases of an author business [Becca Syme]; Bones of the Deep – J.F. Penn; Today's show is sponsored by Bookfunnel, the essential tool for your author business. Whether it's delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out ebooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. Check it out at bookfunnel.com/thecreativepenn This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Melissa Addey is an award-winning historical fiction author with a PhD in creative writing from the University of Surrey. She was the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library, and now works as campaigns lead for the Alliance of Independent Authors. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Making the leap from a corporate career to full-time writing with a young family Why Melissa pursued a PhD in creative writing and how it fuelled her author business What indie authors can learn from academic rigour when researching historical fiction The problems with academic publishing—pricing, accessibility, and creative restrictions Organising research notes, avoiding accidental plagiarism, and knowing when to stop researching Using AI tools effectively as part of the research process without losing your unique voice You can find Melissa at MelissaAddey.com. Transcript of the interview with Melissa Addey JOANNA: Melissa Addey is an award-winning historical fiction author with a PhD in creative writing from the University of Surrey. She was the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library, and now works as campaigns lead for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Welcome back to the show, Melissa. MELISSA: Hello. Thank you for having me. JOANNA: It's great to have you back. You were on almost a decade ago, in December 2016, talking about merchandising for authors. That is really a long time ago. So tell us a bit more about you and how you got into writing and self-publishing. MELISSA: I had a regular job in business and I was writing on the side. I did a couple of writing courses, and then I started trying to get published, and that took seven years of jumping through hoops. There didn't seem to be much progress. At some point, I very nearly had a small publisher, but we clashed over the cover because there was a really quite hideous suggestion that was not going to work. I think by that point I was really tired of jumping through hoops, really trying to play the game traditional publishing-wise. I just went, you know what? I've had enough now. I've done everything that was asked of me and it's still not working. I'll just go my own way. I think at the time that would've been 2015-ish. Suddenly, self-publishing was around more. I could see people and hear people talking about it, and I thought, okay, let's read everything there is to know about this. I had a little baby at the time and I would literally print off stuff during the day to read—probably loads of your stuff—and read it at two o'clock in the morning breastfeeding babies. Then I'd go, okay, I think I understand that bit now, I'll understand the next bit, and so on. So I got into self-publishing and I really, really enjoyed it. I've been doing it ever since. I'm now up to 20 books in the last 10 or 11 years. As you say, I did the creative writing PhD along the way, working with ALLi and doing workshops for others—mixing and matching lots of different things. I really enjoy it. JOANNA: You mentioned you had a job before in business. Are you full-time in all these roles that you're doing now, or do you still have that job? MELISSA: No, I'm full-time now. I only do writing-related things. I left that in 2015, so I took a jump. I was on maternity leave and I started applying for jobs to go back to, and I suddenly felt like, oh, I really don't want to. I want to do the writing. I thought, I've got about one year's worth of savings. I could try and do the jump. I remember saying to my husband, “Do you think it would be possible if I tried to do the jump? Would that be okay?” There was this very long pause while he thought about it. But the longer the pause went on, the more I was thinking, ooh, he didn't say no, that is out of the question, financially we can't do that. I thought, ooh, it's going to work. So I did the jump. JOANNA: That's great. I did something similar and took a massive pay cut and downsized and everything back in the day. Having a supportive partner is so important. The other thing I did—and I wonder if you did too—I said to Jonathan, my husband, if within a year this is not going in a positive direction, then I'll get another job. How long did you think you would leave it before you just gave up? And how did that go? Because that beginning is so difficult, especially with a new baby. MELISSA: I thought, well, I'm at home anyway, so I do have more time than if I was in a full-time job. The baby sleeps sometimes—if you're lucky—so there are little gaps where you could really get into it. I had a year of savings/maternity pay going on, so I thought I've got a year. And the funny thing that happened was within a few months, I went back to my husband and I was like, I don't understand. I said, all these doors are opening—they weren't massive, but they were doors opening. I said, but I've wanted to be a writer for a long time and none of these doors have opened before. He said, “Well, it's because you really committed. It's because you jumped. And when you jump, sometimes the universe is on board and goes, yes, all right then, and opens some doors for you.” It really felt like that. Even little things—like Writing Magazine gave me a little slot to do an online writer-in-residence thing. Just little doors opened that felt like you were getting a nod, like, yes, come on then, try. Then the PhD was part of that. I applied to do that and it came with a studentship, which meant I had three years of funding coming in. That was one of the biggest creative gifts that's ever been given to me—three years of knowing you've got enough money coming in that you can just try and make it work. By the time that finished, the royalties had taken over from the studentship. That was such a gift. JOANNA: A couple of things there. I've got to ask about that funding. You're saying it was a gift, but that money didn't just magically appear. You worked really hard to get that funding, I presume. MELISSA: I did, yes. You do have to do the work for it, just to be clear. My sister had done a PhD in an entirely different subject. She said, “You should do a PhD in creative writing.” I said, “That'd be ridiculous. Nobody is going to fund that. Who's going to fund that?” She said, “Oh, they might. Try.” So I tried, and the deadline was something stupid like two weeks away. I tried and I got shortlisted, but I didn't get it. I thought, ah, but I got shortlisted with only two weeks to try. I'll try again next year then. So then I tried again the next year and that's when I got it. It does take work. You have to put in quite a lot of effort to make your case. But it's a very joyful thing if you get one. JOANNA: So let's go to the bigger question: why do a PhD in creative writing? Let's be clear to everyone—you don't need even a bachelor's degree to be a successful author. Stephen King is a great example of someone who isn't particularly educated in terms of degrees. He talks about writing his first book while working at a laundry. You can be very successful with no formal education. So why did you want to do a PhD? What drew you to academic research? MELISSA: Absolutely. I would briefly say, I often meet people who feel they must do a qualification before they're allowed to write. I say, do it if you'd like to, but you don't have to. You could just practise the writing. I fully agree with that. It was a combination of things. I do actually like studying. I do actually enjoy the research—that's why I do historical research. I like that kind of work. So that's one element. Another element was the funding. I thought, if I get that funding, I've got three years to build up a back catalogue of books, to build up the writing. It will give me more time. So that was a very practical financial issue. Also, children. My children were very little. I had a three-year-old and a baby, and everybody went, “Are you insane? Doing a PhD with a three-year-old and a baby?” But the thing about three-year-olds and babies is they're quite intellectually boring. Emotionally, very engaging—on a number of levels, good, bad, whatever—but they're not very intellectually stimulating. You're at home all day with two small children who think that hide and seek is the highlight of intellectual difficulty because they've hidden behind the curtains and they're shuffling and giggling. I felt I needed something else. I needed something for me that would be interesting. I've always enjoyed passing on knowledge. I've always enjoyed teaching people, workshops, in whatever field I was in. I thought, if I want to do that for writing at some point, it will sound more important if I've done a PhD. Not that you need that to explain how to do writing to someone if you do a lot of writing. But there were all these different elements that came together. JOANNA: So to summarise: you enjoy the research, it's an intellectual challenge, you've got the funding, and there is something around authority. In terms of a PhD—and just for listeners, I'm doing a master's at the moment in death, religion, and culture. MELISSA: Your topic sounds fascinating. JOANNA: It is interesting because, same as you, I enjoy research. Both of us love research as part of our fiction process and our nonfiction. I'm also enjoying the intellectual challenge, and I've also considered this idea of authority in an age of AI when it is increasingly easy to generate books—let's just say it, it's easy to generate books. So I was like, well, how do I look at this in a more authoritative way? I wanted to talk to you because even just a few months back into it—and I haven't done an academic qualification for like two decades—it struck me that the academic rigour is so different. What lessons can indie authors learn from this kind of academic rigour? What do you think of in terms of the rigour and what can we learn? MELISSA: I think there are a number of things. First of all, really making sure that you are going to the quality sources for things—the original sources, the high-quality versions of things. Not secondhand, but going back to those primary sources. Not “somebody said that somebody said something.” Well, let's go back to the original. Have a look at that, because you get a lot from that. I think you immerse yourself more deeply. Someone can tell you, “This is how they spoke in the 1800s.” If you go and read something that was written in the 1800s, you get a better sense of that than just reading a dictionary of slang that's been collated for you by somebody else. So I think that immerses you more deeply. Really sticking with that till you've found interesting things that spark creativity in you. I've seen people say, “I used to do all the historical research. Nowadays I just fact-check. I write what I want to write and I fact-check.” I think, well, that's okay, but you won't find the weird little things. I tend to call it “the footnotes of history.” You won't find the weird little things that really make something come alive, that really make a time and a place come alive. I've got a scene in one of my Regency romances—which actually I think are less full of historical emphasis than some of my other work—where a man gives a woman a gift. It's supposed to be a romantic gift and maybe slightly sensual. He could have given her a fan and I could have fact-checked and gone, “Are there fans? Yes, there are fans. Do they have pretty romantic poems on them? Yes, they do. Okay, that'll do.” Actually, if you go round and do more research than that, you discover they had things like ribbons that held up your stockings, on which they wrote quite smutty things in embroidery. That's a much more sexy and interesting gift to give in that scene. But you don't find that unless you go doing a bit of research. If I just fact-check, I'm not going to find that because it would never have occurred to me to fact-check it in the first place. JOANNA: I totally agree with you. One of the wonderful things about research—and I also like going to places—is you might be somewhere and see something that gives you an idea you never, ever would have found in a book or any other way. I used to call it “the serendipity of the stacks” in the physical library. You go looking for a particular book and then you're in that part of the shelf and you find several other books that you never would have looked for. I think it's encouraging people, as you're saying, but I also think you have to love it. MELISSA: Yes. I think some people find it a bit of a grind, or they're frightened by it and they think, “Have I done enough?” JOANNA: Mm-hmm. MELISSA: I get asked that a lot when I talk about writing historical fiction. People go, “But when do I stop? How do I know it's enough? How do I know there wasn't another book that would have been the book? Everyone will go, ‘Oh, how did you not read such-and-such?'” I always say there are two ways of finding out when you can stop. One is when you get to the bibliographies, you look through and you go, “Yep, read that, read that, read that. Nah, I know that one's not really what I wanted.” You're familiar with those bibliographies in a way that at the beginning you're not. At the beginning, every single bibliography, you haven't read any of it. So that's quite a good way of knowing when to stop. The other way is: can you write ordinary, everyday life? I don't start writing a book till I can write everyday life in that historical era without notes. I will obviously have notes if I'm doing a wedding or a funeral or a really specific battle or something. Everyday life, I need to be able to just write that out of my own head. You need to be confident enough to do that. JOANNA: One of the other problems I've heard from academics—people who've really come out of academia and want to write something more pop, even if it's pop nonfiction or fiction—they're also really struggling. It is a different game, isn't it? For people who might be immersed in academia, how can they release themselves into doing something like self-publishing? Because there's still a lot of stigma within academia. MELISSA: You're going to get me on the academic publishing rant now. I think academic publishing is horrendous. Academics are very badly treated. I know quite a lot of academics and they have to do all the work. Nobody's helping them with indexing or anything like that. The publisher will say things like, “Well, could you just cut 10,000 words out of that?” Just because of size. Out of somebody's argument that they're making over a whole work. No consideration for that. The royalties are basically zilch. I've seen people's royalty statements come in, and the way they price the books is insane. They'll price a book at 70 pounds. I actually want that book for my research and I'm hesitating because I can't be buying all of them at that price. That's ridiculous. I've got people who are friends or family who bring out a book, and I'm like, well, I would gladly buy your book and read it. It's priced crazy. It's priced only for institutions. I think actually, if academia was written a little more clearly and open to the lay person—which if you are good at your work, you should be able to do—and priced a bit more in line with other books, that would maybe open up people to reading more academia. You wouldn't have to make it “pop” as you say. I quite like pop nonfiction. But I don't think there would have to be such a gulf between those two. I think you could make academic work more readable generally. I read someone's thesis recently and they'd made a point at the beginning of saying—I can't remember who it was—that so-and-so academic's point of view was that it should be readable and they should be writing accordingly. I thought, wow, I really admired her for doing that. Next time I'm doing something like that, I should be putting that at the front as well. But the fact that she had to explain that at the beginning… It wasn't like words of one syllable throughout the whole thing. I thought it was a very quality piece of writing, but it was perfectly readable to someone who didn't know about the topic. JOANNA: I might have to get that name from you because I've got an essay on the Philosophy of Death. And as you can imagine, there's a heck of a lot of big words. MELISSA: I know. I've done a PhD, but I still used to tense up a little bit thinking they're going to pounce on me. They're going to say that I didn't talk academic enough, I didn't sound fancy enough. That's not what it should be about, really. In a way, you are locking people out of knowledge, and given that most academics are paid for by public funds, that knowledge really ought to be a little more publicly accessible. JOANNA: I agree on the book price. I'm also buying books for my course that aren't in the library. Some of them might be 70 pounds for the ebook, let alone the print book. What that means is that I end up looking for secondhand books, when of course the money doesn't go to the author or the publisher. The other thing that happens is it encourages piracy. There are people who openly talk about using pirate sites for academic works because it's just too expensive. If I'm buying 20 books for my home library, I can't be spending that kind of money. Why is it so bad? Why is it not being reinvented, especially as we have done with indie authors for the wider genres? Has this at all moved into academia? MELISSA: I think within academia there's a fear because there's the peer reviews and it must be proven to be absolutely correct and agreed upon by everybody. I get that. You don't want some complete rubbish in there. I do think there's space to come up with a different system where you could say, “So-and-so is professor of whatever at such-and-such a university. I imagine what they have to say might be interesting and well-researched.” You could have some sort of kite mark. You could have something that then allows for self-publishing to take over a bit. I do just think their system is really, really poor. They get really reined in on what they're allowed to write about. Alison Baverstock, who is a professor now at Kingston University and does stuff about publishing and master's programmes, started writing about self-publishing because she thought it was really interesting. This was way back. JOANNA: I remember. I did one of those surveys. MELISSA: She got told in no uncertain terms, “Do not write about this. You will ruin your career.” She stuck with it. She was right to stick with it. But she was told by senior academics, “Do not write about self-publishing. You're just embarrassing yourself. It's just vanity press.” They weren't even being allowed to write about really quite interesting phenomena that were happening. Just from a historical point of view, that was a really interesting rise of self-publishing, and she was being told not to write about it. JOANNA: It's funny, that delay as well. I'm looking to maybe do my thesis on how AI is impacting death and the death industry. And yet it's such a fast-moving thing. MELISSA: Yes. JOANNA: Sometimes it can take a year, two years or more to get a paper through the process. MELISSA: Oh, yes. It moves really, really fast. Like you say, by the time it comes out, people are going, “Huh? That's really old.” And you'll be going, “No, it's literally two years.” But yes, very, very slow. JOANNA: Let's come back to how we can help other people who might not want to be doing academic-level stuff. One of the things I've found is organising notes, sources, references. How do you manage that? Any tips for people? They might not need to do footnotes for their historical novel, but they might want to organise their research. What are your thoughts? MELISSA: I used to do great big enormous box files and print vast quantities of stuff. Each box file would be labelled according to servant life, or food, or seasons, or whatever. I've tried various different things. I'm moving more and more now towards a combination of books on the shelf, which I do like, and papers and other materials that are stored on my computer. They'll be classified according to different parts of daily life, essentially. Because when you write historical fiction, you have to basically build the whole world again for that era. You have to have everything that happens in daily life, everything that happens on special events, all of those things. So I'll have it organised by those sorts of topics. I'll read it and go through it until I'm comfortable with daily life. Then special things—I'll have special notes on that that can talk me through how you run a funeral or a wedding or whatever, because that's quite complicated to just remember in your head. MELISSA: I always do historical notes at the end. They really matter to me. When I read historical fiction, I really like to read that from the author. I'll say, “Right, these things are true”—especially things that I think people will go, “She made that up. That is not true.” I'll go, “No, no, these are true.” These other things I've fudged a little, or I've moved the timeline a bit to make the story work better. I try to be fairly clear about what I did to make it into a story, but also what is accurate, because I want people to get excited about that timeline. Occasionally if there's been a book that was really important, I'll mention it in there because I don't want to have a proper bibliography, but I do want to highlight certain books. If you got excited by this novel, you could go off and read that book and it would take you into the nonfiction side of it. JOANNA: I'm similar with my author's notes. I've just done the author's note for Bones of the Deep, which has some merfolk in it, and I've got a book on Merpeople. It's awesome. It's just a brilliant book. I'm like, this has to go in. You could question whether that is really nonfiction or something else. But I think that's really important. Just to be more practical: when you're actually writing, what tools do you use? I use Scrivener and I keep all my research there. I'm using EndNote for academic stuff. MELISSA: I've always just stuck to Word. I did get Scrivener and played with it for a while, but I felt like I've already got a way of doing it, so I'll just carry on with that. So I mostly just do Word. I have a lot of notes, so I'll have notepads that have got my notes on specific things, and they'll have page numbers that go back to specific books in case I need to go and double-check that again. You mentioned citations, and that's fascinating to me. Do you know the story about Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner? It won the Pulitzer. It's a novel, but he used 10% of that novel—and it's a fairly slim novel—10% of it is actually letters written by somebody else, written by a woman before his time. He includes those and works with them in the story. He mentioned her very briefly, like, “Oh, and thanks to the relatives of so-and-so.” Very brief. He got accused of plagiarism for using that much of it by another part of her family who hadn't agreed to it. I've always thought it's because he didn't give enough credence to her. He didn't give her enough importance. If he'd said, “This was the woman who wrote this stuff. It's fascinating. I loved it. I wanted to creatively respond and engage with it”—I think that wouldn't have happened at all. That's why I think it's quite important when there are really big, important elements that you're using to acknowledge those. JOANNA: That's part of the academic rigour too— You can barely have a few of your own thoughts without referring to somebody else's work and crediting them. What's so interesting to me in the research process is, okay, I think this, but in order to say it, I'm going to have to go find someone else who thought this first and wrote a paper on it. MELISSA: I think you would love a PhD. When you've done a master's, go and do a PhD as well. Because it was the first time in academia that I genuinely felt I was allowed my own thoughts and to invent stuff of my own. I could go, “Oh no, I've invented this theory and it's this.” I didn't have to constantly go, “As somebody else said, as somebody else said.” I was like, no, no. This is me. I said this thing. I wasn't allowed to in my master's, and I found it annoying. I remember thinking, but I'm trying to have original thoughts here. I'm trying to bring something new to it. In a PhD, you're allowed to do that because you're supposed to be contributing to knowledge. You're supposed to be bringing a new thing into the world. That was a glorious thing to finally be allowed to do. JOANNA: I must say I couldn't help myself with that. I've definitely put my own opinion. But a part of why I mention it is the academic rigour—it's actually quite good practice to see who else has had these thoughts before. Speed is one of the biggest issues in the indie author community. Some of the stuff you were talking about—finding original sources, going to primary sources, the top-quality stuff, finding the weird little things—all of that takes more time than, for example, just running a deep research report on Gemini or Claude or ChatGPT. You can do both. You can use that as a starting point, which I definitely do. But then the point is to go back and read the original stuff. On this timeframe— Why do you think research is worth doing? It's important for academic reasons, but personal growth as well. MELISSA: Yes, I think there's a joy to be had in the research. When I go and stand in a location, by that point I'm not measuring things and taking photos—I've done all of that online. I'm literally standing there feeling what it is to be there. What does it smell like? What does it feel like? Does it feel very enclosed or very open? Is it a peaceful place or a horrible place? That sensory research becomes very important. All of the book research before that should lead you into the sensory research, which is then also a joy to do. There's great pleasure in it. As you say, it slows things down. What I tend to say to people if they want to speed things up again is: write in a series. Because once you've done all of that research and you just write one book and then walk away, that's a lot. That really slows you down. If you then go, “Okay, well now I'm going to write four books, five books, six books, still in that place and time”—obviously each book will need a little more research, but it won't need that level of starting-from-scratch research. That can help in terms of speeding it back up again. Recently I wrote some Regency romances to see what that was like. I'd done all my basic research, and then I thought, right, now I want to write a historical novel which could have been Victorian or could have been Regency. It had an openness to it. I thought, well, I've just done all the research for Regency, so I'll stick with that era. Why go and do a whole other piece of research when I've only written three books in it so far? I'll just take that era and work with that. So there are places to make up the time again a bit. But I do think there's a joy in it as well. JOANNA: I just want to come back to the plagiarism thing. I discovered that you can plagiarise yourself in academia, which is quite interesting. For example, my books How to Write a Novel and How to Write Nonfiction—they're aimed at different audiences. They have lots of chapters that are different, but there's a chapter on dictation. I thought, why would I need to write the same chapter again? I'm just going to put the same chapter in. It's the same process. Then I only recently learned that you can plagiarise yourself. I did not credit myself for that original chapter. MELISSA: How dare you not credit yourself! JOANNA: But can you talk a bit about that? Where are the lines here? I'm never going to credit myself. I think that's frankly ridiculous. MELISSA: No, that's silly. I mean, it depends what you're doing. In your case, that completely makes sense. It would be really peculiar of you to sit down and write a whole new chapter desperately trying not to copy what you'd said in a chapter about exactly the same topic. That doesn't make any sense. JOANNA: I guess more in the wider sense. Earlier you mentioned you keep notes and you put page numbers by them. I think the point is with research, a lot of people worry about accidental plagiarism. You write a load of notes on a book and then it just goes into your brain. Perhaps you didn't quote people properly. It's definitely more of an issue in nonfiction. You have to keep really careful notes. Sometimes I'm copying out a quote and I'll just naturally maybe rewrite that quote because the way they've put it didn't make sense, or I use a contraction or something. It's just the care in note-taking and then citing people. MELISSA: Yes. When I talk to people about nonfiction, I always say, you're basically joining a conversation. I mean, you are in fiction as well, but not as obviously. I say, well, why don't you read the conversation first? Find out what the conversation is in your area at the moment, and then what is it that you're bringing that's different? The most likely reason for you to end up writing something similar to someone else is that you haven't understood what the conversation was, and you need to be bringing your own thing to it. Then even if you're talking about the same topic, you might talk about it in a different way, and that takes you away from plagiarism because you're bringing your own view to it and your own direction to it. JOANNA: It's an interesting one. I think it's just the care. Taking more care is what I would like people to do. So let's talk about AI because AI tools can be incredible. I do deep research reports with Gemini and Claude and ChatGPT as a sort of “give me an overview and tell me some good places to start.” The university I'm with has a very hard line, which is: AI can be used as part of a research process, but not for writing. What are your thoughts on AI usage and tools? How can people balance that? MELISSA: Well, I'm very much a newbie compared to you. I follow you—the only person that describes how to use it with any sense at all, step by step. I'm very new to it, but I'm going to go back to the olden days. Sometimes I say to people, when I'm talking about how I do historical research, I start with Wikipedia. They look horrified. I'm like, no. That's where you have to get the overview from. I want an overview of how you dress in ancient Rome. I need a quick snapshot of that. Then I can go off and figure out the details of that more accurately and with more detail. I think AI is probably extremely good for that—getting the big picture of something and going, okay, this is what the field's looking like at the moment. These are the areas I'm going to need to burrow down into. It's doing that work for you quickly so that you're then in a position to pick up from that point. It gets you off to a quicker start and perhaps points you in the direction of the right people to start with. I'm trying to write a PhD proposal at the moment because I'm an idiot and want to do a second one. With that, I really did think, actually, AI should write this. Because the original concept is mine. I know nothing about it—why would I know anything about it? I haven't started researching it. This is where AI should go, “Well, in this field, there are these people. They've done these things.” Then you could quickly check that nobody's covered your thing. It would actually speed up all of that bit, which I think would be perfectly reasonable because you don't know anything about it yet. You're not an expert. You have the original idea, and then after that, then you should go off and do your own research and the in-depth quality of it. I think for a lot of things that waste authors' time—if you're applying for a grant or a writer-in-residence or things like that—it's a lot of time wasting filling in long, boring forms. “Could you make an artist statement and a something and a blah?” You're like, yes, yes, I could spend all day at my desk doing that. There's a moment where you start thinking, could you not just allow the AI to do this or much of it? JOANNA: Yes. Or at least, in that case, I'd say one of the very useful things is doing deep searches. As you were mentioning earlier about getting the funding—if I was to consider a PhD, which the thought has crossed my mind—I would use AI tools to do searches for potential sources of funding and that kind of research. In fact, I found this course at Winchester because I asked ChatGPT. It knows a lot about me because I chat with it all the time. I was talking about hitting 50 and these are the things I'm really interested in and what courses might interest me. Then it found it for me. That was quite amazing in itself. I'd encourage people to consider using it for part of the research process. But then all the papers it cites or whatever—then you have to go download those, go read them, do that work yourself. MELISSA: Yes, because that's when you bring your viewpoint to something. You and I could read the exact same paper and choose very different parts of it to write about and think about, because we're coming at it from different points of view and different journeys that we're trying to explore. That's where you need the individual to come in. It wouldn't be good enough to just have a generic overview from AI that we both try and slot into our work, because we would want something different from it. JOANNA: I kind of laugh when people say, “Oh, I can tell when it's AI.” I'm like, you might be able to tell when it's AI writing if nobody has taken that personal spin, but that's not the way we use it. If you're using it that way, that's not how those of us who are independent thinkers are using it. We're strong enough in our thoughts that we're using it as a tool. You're a confident person—intellectually and creatively confident—but I feel like some people maybe don't have that. Some people are not strong enough to resist what an AI might suggest. Any thoughts on that? MELISSA: Yes. When I first tried using AI with very little guidance from anyone, it just felt easy but very wooden and not very related to me. Then I've done webinars with you, and that was really useful—to watch somebody actually live doing the batting back and forth. That became a lot more interesting because I really like bouncing ideas and messing around with things and brainstorming, essentially, but with somebody else involved that's batting stuff back to you. “What does that look like?” “No, I didn't mean that at all.” “How about what does this look like?” “Oh no, no, not like that.” “Oh yes, a bit like that, but a bit more like whatever.” I remember doing that and talking to someone about it, going, “Oh, that's really quite an interesting use of it.” And they said, “Why don't you use a person?” I said, “Well, because who am I going to call at 8:30 in the morning on a Thursday and go, ‘Look, I want to spend two hours batting back and forth ideas, but I don't want you to talk about your stuff at all. Just my stuff. And you have to only think about my stuff for two hours. And you have to be very well versed in my stuff as well. Could you just do that?'” Who's going to do that for you? JOANNA: I totally agree with you. Before Christmas, I was doing a paper. It was an art history thing. We had to pick a piece of art or writing and talk about Christian ideas of hell and how it emerged. I was writing this essay and going back and forth with Claude at the time. My husband came in and saw the fresco I was writing about. He said, “No one's going to talk to you about this. Nobody.” MELISSA: Yes, exactly. JOANNA: Nobody cares. MELISSA: Exactly. Nobody cares as much as you. And they're not prepared to do that at 8:30 on a Thursday morning. They've got other stuff to do. JOANNA: It's great to hear because I feel like we're now at the point where these tools are genuinely super useful for independent work. I hope that more people might try that. JOANNA: Okay, we're almost out of time. Where can people find you and your books online? Also, tell us a bit about the types of books you have. MELISSA: I mostly write historical fiction. As I say, I've wandered my way through history—I'm a travelling minstrel. I've done ancient Rome, medieval Morocco, 18th century China, and I'm into Regency England now. So that's a bit closer to home for once. I'm at MelissaAddey.com and you can go and have a bit of a browse and download a free novel if you want. Try me out. JOANNA: Brilliant. Well, thanks so much for your time, Melissa. MELISSA: That was great. Thank you. It was fun. The post Research Like An Academic, Write Like an Indie With Melissa Addey first appeared on The Creative Penn.
Anyone who ever listened to Jenna Blum do interviews on the A Mighty Blaze podcast will not be one bit surprised to hear that we had a great time talking all things writing but most specifically writing BIG—which Jenna has absolutely done with her current book, Murder Your Darlings. Murder Your Darlings is a contemporary thriller and a real departure from Jenna's very popular historical fiction—a departure that's totally in keeping with Jenna's own enthusiastic, passionate personality. As her agent said, her earlier work was elegant and restrained (although still powerful) but in this one Jenna lets herself loose. We had a wonderful time talking about it, and I know you'll have a great time listening. #AmReadingThe Plot and The Sequel, Jean Hanff Korelitz Last Seen, Christopher CastellaniYou, Caroline KepnesJoin Jenna on tour—she's absolutely a joy to listen to on writing and probably any other topic! Dates HERE. And do grab Murder Your Darlings—who doesn't love a tell-all thriller set in this ridiculous industry we all love so much?Hey—if you're reading this in January 2026, it's not too late to join our Blueprint Sprint and get in on a rapid-fire roadmap to writing the book you want to write this year (instead of writing 100K words in search of it… ask me how I know!) First Blueprint post below—upgrade your subscription to get started. 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
On this episode, Dawn Apuan joins us to discuss 5 Neurochemicals That Trigger Buying Behavior. Dawn is the CEO of Copy Queens Ink. She’s a top copywriter and funnel strategist who helps coaches and speakers “Write Like a CEO” so they can attract premium clients, sell out high-ticket offers, and multiply their impact with powerful […] The post 416: The 5 Neurochemicals That Trigger Buying Behavior first appeared on Persuasion by the Pint.
The Catalyst: Sparking Creative Transformation in Healthcare
Blah… That's how I feel about AI-generated writing. I have become personally outraged by all the sloppy AI that I read every day in social media. (However, it's actually working in my favor because I'm not scrolling as much as I used to.) Are you also tired of seeing the same phrases and the same cliches? Let's both be better. In this episode, I'll teach you the FLAT mnemonic test so you can spot when AI language is leaving you, well, generic. Trust me when I say it will enhance your writing quality! F - formulaic language L - lazy phrases A - artificial optimism T - thesaurus thinking. Special bonus! I'll give you a glimpse at what our Catalysts are saying inside my Catalyst Studio Mentorship. I'll share all the top apps they're using with AI and how they're using them so that you can level up your experience in the social media realm. The future of charting with AI: https://drlarasalyer.com/2024/03/22/episode-106-the-future-of-charting-with-ai/ Take the FREE Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi Catalyst Studio: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst/#studio Brainstorming session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery Connect with Lara: Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catalyst-way-creative-strategies-for-women-in/id1611612131 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7d96T0XY32NxEefslXhLNo?si=90609a4ca6254dec https://www.instagram.com/drlarasalyer/ https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ https://www.tiktok.com/@Creativity.Doctor
Norman Podhoretz, one of the founding fathers of neoconservatism, died on December 16 atage 95. His legacy is a complex one, since in recent decades neoconservatism has beensupplanted in many ways by American First conservatism. But many aspects of Podhoretz'sinfluence still play a shaping role on right. I take up Podhoretz's career with David Klion (whowrote an obituary for the pundit for The Nation) and the historian Ronnie Grinberg, who haddiscussed Podhoretz in her book Write Like a Man.Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Norman Podhoretz, one of the founding fathers of neoconservatism, died on December 16 atage 95. His legacy is a complex one, since in recent decades neoconservatism has beensupplanted in many ways by American First conservatism. But many aspects of Podhoretz'sinfluence still play a shaping role on right. I take up Podhoretz's career with David Klion (whowrote an obituary for the pundit for The Nation) and the historian Ronnie Grinberg, who haddiscussed Podhoretz in her book Write Like a Man.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
This week, we sit down with Ross Guberman, founder and CEO of BriefCatch—the leading legal writing assistant designed to help lawyers draft clear, precise, and impactful documents. A former attorney at a top law firm, Ross has conducted thousands of opinion writing workshops across the globe for prominent law firms, judges, agencies, corporations, and associations. Ross is also an award-winning journalist and best-selling author of Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation's Top Advocates, Point Taken: How to Write Like the World's Best Judges, and co-author of Deal Struck: The World's Best Drafting Tips. In today's episode, Ross shares his journey into law, the framework he developed for evaluating legal writing, and lessons learned from building BriefCatch. We also explore how technology is transforming legal writing and what generative AI could mean for the future of the profession. Read the full transcript of today's episode here: https://www.seyfarth.com/dir_docs/podcast_transcripts/Pioneers_RossGuberman.pdf
In episode 588 of the Lawyerist Podcast, discover how small shifts in mindset and management can make law practice less chaotic and more rewarding. Zack Glaser sits down with Jordan Couch of Palace Law to explore lessons from his book, 411 Tips for Solo and Small Firm Lawyers. They cover everything from client service and writing habits to creativity and innovation, offering real-world advice to help lawyers build stronger, happier firms. Listen to our previous episodes about Law Firm Innovation & Sustainable Growth: Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN #553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use with Catherine Sanders Reach Apple | Spotify | LTN #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam Apple | Spotify | LTN Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction with Stephanie & Zack 05:52 – Meet Jordan Couch 07:12 – 411 Tips for Lawyers 09:48 – Pick Your Lane 13:51 – Client Service Matters 16:26 – Handling Client Frustration 21:12 – The Trial Is Always Happening 24:35 – Write Like a Human 34:20 – Practice Creativity 37:38 – The Future of Law 46:00 – Closing Thoughts
In episode 588 of the Lawyerist Podcast, discover how small shifts in mindset and management can make law practice less chaotic and more rewarding. Zack Glaser sits down with Jordan Couch of Palace Law to explore lessons from his book, 411 Tips for Solo and Small Firm Lawyers. They cover everything from client service and writing habits to creativity and innovation, offering real-world advice to help lawyers build stronger, happier firms. Listen to our previous episodes about Law Firm Innovation & Sustainable Growth: Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN #553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use with Catherine Sanders Reach Apple | Spotify | LTN #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam Apple | Spotify | LTN Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction with Stephanie & Zack 05:52 – Meet Jordan Couch 07:12 – 411 Tips for Lawyers 09:48 – Pick Your Lane 13:51 – Client Service Matters 16:26 – Handling Client Frustration 21:12 – The Trial Is Always Happening 24:35 – Write Like a Human 34:20 – Practice Creativity 37:38 – The Future of Law 46:00 – Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jim VandeHei.
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jim VandeHei.
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jim VandeHei.
Elmore Leonard ‘did more with less than any crime writer I can think of' J. Robert Lennon wrote in the latest issue of the LRB. Leonard was born in New Orleans in 1925 and by the time he died in 2013 had published over forty novels selling tens of millions of copies, many of which were made into films such as Jackie Brown and Get Shorty. (A few have recently been reissued as Penguin Modern Classics.) He also wrote ten rules for writers that serve as a manifesto for the minimalist, dialogue-heavy style he mastered. In this episode Lennon joins Tom to discuss the usefulness of Leonard's rules and the ways in which great crime writing will always defy the prescriptions of its genre. Read J. Robert Lennon on Leonard: https://lrb.me/leonardpod From the LRB Subscribe to the LRB: https://lrb.me/subslrbpod Close Readings podcast: https://lrb.me/crlrbpod LRB Audiobooks: https://lrb.me/audiobookslrbpod Bags, binders and more at the LRB Store: https://lrb.me/storelrbpod Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk
This week's episode of Win The Hour, Win The Day Podcast interviews, Kim Scaravelli. Do you feel like your words sound too stiff or fake? Join us as Kim Scaravelli shows why your real voice is the secret to trust and connection. In this powerful talk, you'll learn:-Why being real beats being perfect every time.-How to “write like you talk” so people feel closer to you.-The big mistake of hiding behind “we” instead of saying “I.”-How AI can help you without stealing your voice.-Why trust and relatability are the keys to lasting success. Get ready to see how your words can carry more power than you think. Don't miss this chance to make your brand voice real, strong, and unforgettable. Win The Hour, Win The Day! www.winthehourwintheday.com Podcast: Win The Hour, Win The Day Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winthehourwintheday/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/win-the-hour-win-the-day-podcast You can find Kim Scaravelli at:Website: https://kimscaravelli.com/Book: Amazon linkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimscaravelli/ #WriteLikeYouTalk#AuthenticBrandVoice#KrisWard
James Lang shares about his latest book, Write Like You Teach, on episode 583 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode Answers on their own are not interesting. They become interesting when we know the questions behind them. -James Lang When you take a reader on a journey, as the reader works through an essay or book that you've written, they spend a lot of time with you. -James Lang Be attentive to the person that you are on the page to the reader. -James Lang Start right now. That's the most important thing. -James Lang Resources Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience by James M. Lang Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It by James M. Lang Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning by James M. Lang Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty by James M. Lang The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean How Can Educators Teach Critical Thinking? by Daniel T. Willingham (American Educator) James M. Lang's official website Susan Orlean's official website Scrivener, a popular writing and revision tool for long-form projects The Opposite of Cheating from the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Series (University of Oklahoma Press) University of Oklahoma Press – Teaching, Engaging, and Thriving in Higher Ed series Christine Tulley The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource, by Chris Hayes Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain, by Maryanne Wolf
Send us a textIn this episode, Kay sits down with copywriter and AI advocate Chantelle Davison to uncover the real story behind impactful copy — and why great copywriting has nothing to do with being good at English in school. Chantelle shares her journey from burnout in corporate sales to building a thriving business as a copywriter who now teaches others how to harness AI (without sounding like a robot). If you've ever stared at a blank screen wondering how to write a sales page that actually converts — or if you've been tempted to let Chat GPT do all the heavy lifting — this episode will shift your mindset, give you practical tips, and bring some unexpected laughs. Chantelle unpacks the art and science of writing for connection, the difference between "fine" content and powerful messaging, and the importance of being seen, heard, and understood — not just online, but in your copy too. This one's a masterclass in authenticity, AI collaboration, and writing like a human in a digital world.What to expect in this episode:(00:00) – Why copywriting is essential in business(01:00) – Chantelle's burnout-to-business journey (and ghostwriting for her dad at 12!)(05:13) – The twist: How AI shaped her copywriting career(06:35) – What they never teach you in English class(07:57) – Academic writing vs. sales copy: What to unlearn(10:45) – Copy tip: Know who you're writing for (and how to really connect)(13:40) – Why selling transformation is more powerful than listing features(16:00) – The “if you're talking to everyone...” client trap(18:45) – Boundaries, bad clients, and becoming your business' CEO(21:00) – Embracing AI: The sandwich method of writing copy(24:00) – Voice-to-AI: How Kay uses GPT for storytelling and podcasting(26:00) – Smart collaboration with AI tools without losing your magic(28:00) – Prompt engineering, staying curious, and building tools that work while you sleep(30:00) – Where to find Chantelle and her must-have AI glossary for copy clarityAbout Chantelle DavisonChantelle Davison is a copywriting coach, AI educator, and prompt-engineering specialist who helps business owners write high-converting, personality-packed copy — with or without a copywriter. A former corporate sales executive turned self-taught copywriter, Chantelle teaches entrepreneurs how to collaborate with AI while keeping their authentic voice front and centre. Her method bridges smart automation with heartfelt storytelling to create standout content in asea of sameness.Connect with Chantelle DavisonWebsite: https://chantelledavison.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/copywritingbusinesscoachFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chantelle.davisonFree AI Glossary: [Insert link here once available]Connect with Kay SutharWebsite: https://makeyourmarkagency.com/Podcast Website: https://www.makeyourmarkpodcast.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-suthar-make-your-mark/Facebook Group: Podcast Power HouseEmail: kay@makeyourmarkagency.comFree Gifts from Kay Suthar:3 Ultimate Secrets to Getting Booked on Podcasts: https://getbookedonpodcast.com/5 Simple Steps To Launch Your Podcast in 14 Days: https://14daystolaunch.comFREE Gifts from Kay Suthar:3 Ultimate Secrets to Getting Booked on Podcasts: https://getbookedonpodcast.com5 Simple Steps to Launch Your Podcast in 14 Days: https://14daystolaunch.com
"Writing is not a solo sport.” Rhea Wessel Top 5 Tips for How to Find a Constant Stream of Story Ideas to Position Yourself As the Go- To Expert in Your Niche 1. Know your thought leadership niche2. Frame Your stories3. Use AI for research and ideation 4. Practice free writing5. Try Chartifying TIME STAMP SUMMARY 01:53 Identifying your leadership niche, combining expertise, passion, purpose, and a unique viewpoint.06:12 Aligning the niche with the audience's needs and the commercial aspects of thought leadership.15:12 Free writing can be adapted to free speaking for those who prefer to dictate their ideas.19:10 Chartifying involves juxtaposing ideas to create new insights. Where to find Rhea?Website https://rheawessel.com/ LinkedIn https://de.linkedin.com/in/rheawessel Rhea Wessel Bio Rhea Wessel is an American writer and thought-leadership strategist who helps people grow their business by creating and publishing thought leadership. Offering fractional thought-leadership services, she and her team advise and train on ideation, messaging, AI writing and how to find and articulate your best ideas to become an IP-driven company. As a journalist, she wrote thousands of stories on hundreds of topics and was published in outlets like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and BBC. Later, as a writer for companies, she has penned and edited thousands more stories across 30 industries.Rhea founded and leads The Institute for Thought Leadership, a B2B training and consulting company that helps clients take their ideas to scale with thought-leadership publishing, research and programs.Her first book, Write Like a Thought Leader, was published in 2022. Rhea's next book, “Thought Leadership for Small Firms: How to use AI to punch above your weight” will be available in mid-2025. Rhea moves frequently between Frankfurt, Germany and Houston, Texas.
Memoir Nation has a touching episode this week with fashion designer Prabal Gurang, who shares about his relationship with his mother, who, in allowing him to pursue his joy, encouraged him also to pursue his dreams of fashion design. We discuss the power of reading a memoir aloud and the emotions that evokes, and about authenticity on the page when you set out just to write the best story you can write—not necessarily coming to your memoir as the best or most trained writer in the world, but rather as someone with a story that matters. Much inspiration here this week! Prabal Gurang is a famous fashion designer who is also a memoirist. His new book, Write Like a Girl, tells the story of his childhood in Singapore and Nepal, education in India, and career in the U.S. fashion industry, where he was subjected to racial discrimination. A reviewer for Kirkus called the memoir “an insightful and entertaining look into the life of a famous fashion designer.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Memoir Nation has a touching episode this week with fashion designer Prabal Gurang, who shares about his relationship with his mother, who, in allowing him to pursue his joy, encouraged him also to pursue his dreams of fashion design. We discuss the power of reading a memoir aloud and the emotions that evokes, and about authenticity on the page when you set out just to write the best story you can write—not necessarily coming to your memoir as the best or most trained writer in the world, but rather as someone with a story that matters. Much inspiration here this week! Prabal Gurang is a famous fashion designer who is also a memoirist. His new book, Write Like a Girl, tells the story of his childhood in Singapore and Nepal, education in India, and career in the U.S. fashion industry, where he was subjected to racial discrimination. A reviewer for Kirkus called the memoir “an insightful and entertaining look into the life of a famous fashion designer.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe to MF's YouTube Channel HERE Here are 3 ways to get more BFU in your life: Claim your FREE copy of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE Follow BFU on Instagram HERE Subscribe to MF's YouTube Channel HERE Are you a gym owner with 30+ clients per month looking to grow in the next 90 days? Then you might just be a few strategies away from adding $5k-$10k/month or more. Book your FREE Brainstorm Call HERE.
Teachers are subject matter experts that can distill information into manageable chunks for their students. In Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience (University of Chicago Press, 2025), Dr. James M. Lang insists that the skills teachers use in their classrooms can be transferred to a broader audience. This book provides a step-by-step guide to assist would-be authors in researching and developing a book. Teachers are familiar with creating a course syllabus and developing learning objectives. Dr. Lang posits that these skills can help create a book for audiences outside one's subject matter expertise. He provides insight into the technical aspects of writing, including organization, writing style, and revision. By providing writing prompts at the end of each chapter, Dr. Lang provides the prospective author the opportunity to immediately begin his/her/their own writing journey. The book concludes with an appendix that provides a behind the scenes look at the publishing process. This is a must read for anyone interested in enhancing their writing, learning about the many parts of the publishing process, and hoping to provide their expertise to a larger audience. In addition to Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience, Dr. Lang is the author of Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It (Basic Books, 2020), Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (Jossey-Bass, 2016) Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty (Harvard University Press, 2013), and On Course: A Week-by-Week Guide to Your First Semester of College Teaching (Harvard UP, 2008). He has written extensively for the Chronicle of Higher Education. Dr. Lang serves as an editor to the Oklahoma University Press, is a highly sought-after speaker, and consultant. He is active on LinkedIn and Instagram and may be contacted directly at jamesmlang7@gmail.com. Dr. Anne-Marie Verenna is a Professor of Biology and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow at Delaware County Community College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Teachers are subject matter experts that can distill information into manageable chunks for their students. In Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience (University of Chicago Press, 2025), Dr. James M. Lang insists that the skills teachers use in their classrooms can be transferred to a broader audience. This book provides a step-by-step guide to assist would-be authors in researching and developing a book. Teachers are familiar with creating a course syllabus and developing learning objectives. Dr. Lang posits that these skills can help create a book for audiences outside one's subject matter expertise. He provides insight into the technical aspects of writing, including organization, writing style, and revision. By providing writing prompts at the end of each chapter, Dr. Lang provides the prospective author the opportunity to immediately begin his/her/their own writing journey. The book concludes with an appendix that provides a behind the scenes look at the publishing process. This is a must read for anyone interested in enhancing their writing, learning about the many parts of the publishing process, and hoping to provide their expertise to a larger audience. In addition to Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience, Dr. Lang is the author of Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It (Basic Books, 2020), Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (Jossey-Bass, 2016) Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty (Harvard University Press, 2013), and On Course: A Week-by-Week Guide to Your First Semester of College Teaching (Harvard UP, 2008). He has written extensively for the Chronicle of Higher Education. Dr. Lang serves as an editor to the Oklahoma University Press, is a highly sought-after speaker, and consultant. He is active on LinkedIn and Instagram and may be contacted directly at jamesmlang7@gmail.com. Dr. Anne-Marie Verenna is a Professor of Biology and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow at Delaware County Community College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/education
Teachers are subject matter experts that can distill information into manageable chunks for their students. In Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience (University of Chicago Press, 2025), Dr. James M. Lang insists that the skills teachers use in their classrooms can be transferred to a broader audience. This book provides a step-by-step guide to assist would-be authors in researching and developing a book. Teachers are familiar with creating a course syllabus and developing learning objectives. Dr. Lang posits that these skills can help create a book for audiences outside one's subject matter expertise. He provides insight into the technical aspects of writing, including organization, writing style, and revision. By providing writing prompts at the end of each chapter, Dr. Lang provides the prospective author the opportunity to immediately begin his/her/their own writing journey. The book concludes with an appendix that provides a behind the scenes look at the publishing process. This is a must read for anyone interested in enhancing their writing, learning about the many parts of the publishing process, and hoping to provide their expertise to a larger audience. In addition to Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience, Dr. Lang is the author of Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It (Basic Books, 2020), Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (Jossey-Bass, 2016) Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty (Harvard University Press, 2013), and On Course: A Week-by-Week Guide to Your First Semester of College Teaching (Harvard UP, 2008). He has written extensively for the Chronicle of Higher Education. Dr. Lang serves as an editor to the Oklahoma University Press, is a highly sought-after speaker, and consultant. He is active on LinkedIn and Instagram and may be contacted directly at jamesmlang7@gmail.com. Dr. Anne-Marie Verenna is a Professor of Biology and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow at Delaware County Community College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Benjamin Hochman, Sports Columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch joins Megan Lynch to talk about leading a discussion later this month at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center which he will go through tips for sports writing.
Send us a textAI doesn't replace you—it reflects you. In this masterclass-style episode, I share 10 powerful ways to train ChatGPT to write like YOU—in your tone, style, and energy. Whether you're a coach, author, or content creator, this method will help you keep your voice while speeding up your writing with AI. These are the exact strategies I teach in my VIP Consults and use myself to co-write bestselling books, emails, blogs, and more—without sounding robotic or generic. ✨ What You'll Learn: How to clone your writing voice using ChatGPTStyle analysis + voice training tipsHow to overcome writer's block (without losing your authenticity)Prompts to help ChatGPT write like your twin (or Marie Forleo!)How to edit and refine AI-generated text while sounding real and human
In this episode of Fully Booked, we talk with Dr. Ravi Iyer, a physician, TEDx speaker, and nonfiction author who knows how to turn big concepts into books that truly connect. Dr. Ravi shares how writing a book is a lot like giving a great talk. It's all about knowing your message, understanding your audience, and delivering your ideas with clarity and emotion. Drawing on insights from cognitive science, he explains how nonfiction writers can stay focused, write with purpose, and build real trust with their readers. We also dive into how to build a consistent writing habit, how to shape your ideas into a strong structure, and why storytelling can be just as powerful in nonfiction as it is in fiction. Dr. Ravi's advice is packed with value for anyone looking to establish credibility, grow their career, and create lasting impact. If you're a nonfiction author looking to deepen your influence and connect with readers on a more emotional level, this episode offers the tools and insights to help you stand out in your field. Dr. Ravi R. Iyer https://www.driyer.com/ Hidden Gems Need our help publishing or marketing your book? https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/ All episode details and links: https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast
Create fine-tuned, task-specific models that write like you by teaching models using expert knowledge, tone, and structure - with reference information directly attached to the models themselves using Microsoft 365 Copilot Tuning. Fine-tuning adds new skills to foundational models, simulating experience in the tasks you teach the model to do. This complements Retrieval Augmented Generation, which in real-time uses search to find related information, then add that to your prompts for context. Fine-tuning helps ensure that responses meet your quality expectations for specific repeatable tasks, without needing to be prompting expert. It's great for drafting complex legal agreements, writing technical documentation, authoring medical papers, and more - using detailed, often lengthy precedent files along with what you teach the model. Using Copilot Studio, anyone can create and deploy these fine-tuned models to use with agents without data science or coding expertise. There, you can teach models using data labeling, ground them in your organization's content - while keeping the information in-place and maintaining data security and access policies. The information contained in the task-specific models that you create stay private to your team and organization. Task-specific models and related information are only accessible to the people and departments you specify - and information is not merged into shared large language models or used for model training. Jeremy Chapman, Director on the Microsoft 365 product team, shows how this simple, zero-code approach helps the agents you build write and reason like your experts—delivering high-quality, detailed responses. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Fine-tune Copilot 01:21 - Tailor Copilot for specialized tasks 05:12 - How it works 05:57 - Create a task-specific model 07:43 - Data labeling 08:59 - Build agents that use your fine-tuned model 11:42 - Wrap up ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics
It took nearly six years for bestselling author Daniel Handler to sell his first book, a satirical novel called The Basic Eight. When his agent sold it in 1998, it was “for the least amount she had ever negotiated for,” laughed Handler, who spoke at a UC Berkeley event earlier this month. More than two decades later, Handler has published seven novels. Under his pen name Lemony Snicket, he has written dozens of books for children, including the 13-volume series A Series of Unfortunate Events. His most recent book, And Then? And Then? What else?, is part memoir, part inspiration for aspiring writers. Handler was the keynote speaker at the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life's inaugural Jewish Arts and Bookfest, a day of events held on May 4 in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month. Throughout the day, artists and authors came together for panel discussions, workshops and other programming that showcased the Jewish experience through art, culture and storytelling. In episode 226 of Berkeley Talks, Handler, joined in conversation by J. The Jewish News of Northern California's editor-in-chief Chanan Tigay, discusses how his Jewish identity shapes his worldview and storytelling, where the name “Lemony Snicket” came from and how a great mentor taught him to read work by authors he admired in order to hone his craft.“When you suggest that we create our own canon, you don't necessarily mean a list of books that are the most significant to us,” Tigay said to Handler at the event, “but actually, the moments in books, turns of phrase and plot twists that are, in some ways, significant. “And I'm wondering if you could take us through a bit of your own canon, in that regard, the moments and turns of phrase and plot twists in books, specific books that have been most impactful to you as a writer?”“For writers, I try to encourage them to seek out what they're enthused by,” Handler replied. “ … So instead of saying, ‘Gosh darn it, Toni Morrison is sure a great writer,' that you think, ‘What is it about Beloved that I return to, that I think about all the time?' … Then, you can go back and find that scene, and look at it, and study it for what it is that you're trying to do, what you're trying to take from it."Handler went on to describe how a scene from the 1958 film Vertigo, when an important character named Midge leaves halfway through the story, inspired the structure of his second novel."My second novel Watch Your Mouth has two parts," he said. "I remember thinking, 'I want ... to have that feeling of like, OK, some things are gone. What in the world can happen in the second half of this story?' That was exciting to me, and I lifted that from that scene in Vertigo. No one in a million years would think that, there's nothing in the novel that reflects that plot or anything like that, but that was what it did for me." This conversation was recorded by Aaron Levy-Wolins / J. The Jewish News of Northern California.Read more about the speakers on the Magnes' website.Listen to the episode and read the transcript on UC Berkeley News (news.berkeley.edu/podcasts).Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small for UC Berkeley.Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Write Like a Thought Leader: How to Find a Constant Stream of Story Ideas to Position Yourself As the Go-To Expert in Your Niche Are there individuals in your audience brimming with groundbreaking ideas, eager to make a mark in business and tackle global challenges, yet feeling their voices remain unheard? If so, they're not alone. To amplify their message and truly make an impact, mastering the art of idea discovery and communication is paramount. I'm thrilled to introduce Rhea Wessel, a trailblazing Thought Leader, Writer, and corporate thought-leadership writing trainer hailing from Frankfurt, Germany. Rhea has recently honed her expertise, now placing a significant emphasis on ethical and innovative AI-infused writing. This fresh perspective is seamlessly woven into her latest literary offering, "Write Like a Thought Leader: How to Find a Constant Stream of Story Ideas to Position Yourself As the Go-To Expert in Your Niche," released on February 18, 2022 [ISBN: 0997062525, eBook: $7.99, Paperback $12.99]. In an enlightening conversation with Rhea, your audience will learn: Strategies for ideation, storytelling, and article crafting that integrate ethical and inventive AI methodologies to propel their businesses or careers forward. The utilization of The Story-Framing System, an innovative framework crafted by Rhea herself, to elevate the structure and presentation of their ideas. Approaches to tackle audience challenges with fresh and captivating story angles, steering clear of conventional and mundane content. Techniques for generating a steady flow of story concepts that deeply resonate with their audience, stressing the importance of ethical and original AI-powered writing. The hallmarks of a compelling idea and the essentials of effective thought-leadership writing in today's digital landscape. Guidance on evading common pitfalls and ethical missteps in business writing, ensuring a captivating and principled narrative. Rhea Wessel, an accomplished American writer with a rich background in journalism and corporate storytelling, serves as the founder and leader of The Institute for Thought Leadership. Her dedication to ethical and innovative AI-infused writing aligns seamlessly with her mission to equip organizations and individuals with the tools to communicate their ideas with impact. About the Author: Rhea Wessel, an American writer, specializes in empowering companies to expand their reach by enhancing their storytelling capabilities. She provides guidance on ideation, messaging, and the art of articulating one's best ideas to drive innovation. With a prolific career in journalism, Rhea has penned thousands of articles for esteemed publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and BBC. As a corporate writer, she has crafted and refined countless narratives spanning across 30 diverse industries. Rhea proudly leads The Institute for Thought Leadership. For further insights, visit the website at www.instituteforthoughtleadership.com and connect with Rhea on FaceBook | FB Author | Linkedin
The Page of Cups represents my guest today on The Tarot Table. This card symbolizes creativity, emotional openness, and intuitive insight. Often depicted as a youthful figure holding a cup with a fish emerging, it conveys surprise, inspiration, imaginative play, and heartfelt expression. This card invites us to stay curious, dream freely, and trust our emotions as a compass for creative work. In writing, it encourages storytelling from the soul and tapping into inner wonder. My guest, Tamara Protassow, embodies the Page of Cups. Who Is Tamara Protassow?As a non-fiction writing mentor and creativity coach for too-busy people, she helps writers uncover their message and bring long-held book dreams to life. Tamara has developed and edited books with over 55 authors, including Denise Duffield Thomas, Leonie Dawson, and Lisa Lister, working independently and for Hay House UK.Her favorite creative space is The Gentle Rebels Club, a membership writing group where people learn to write by releasing internalized norms of capitalism and patriarchal productivity. Like the Page of Cups, Tamara believes in unlocking creativity through curiosity and compassion.She lives in the hills outside Melbourne, Australia, with her partner, two young adult kids, a dog, two cats, and four chickens.Connect with Tamara through her website: https://tamaraprotassow.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamaraProtassowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.write.now/Next week, I will feature a guest represented by the High Priestess once again. My guest is a lifelong astral traveler, Spirit Consultant, and devoted student of the universe. Through her uplifting tarot readings, guided meditations, and thought-provoking discussions, she helps others cultivate deeper understanding and raise their vibrations. If you want a reading, head over to https://creativetarot.net. Follow me on Instagram at creativetarotinsights, and, of course, follow The Tarot Table Podcast. You can also join my list to get a week ahead tarot reading each Sunday so you know what energies you are facing at creativetarot.substack.com.
In this episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley interviews DPL writing coach James Lang about his forthcoming book, Write Like You Teach. Resources Mentioned in this Episode James Lang, Write Like You Teach. Try out these strategies in a workshop with Jim!"Double Duty Scholarship: Leveraging Academic Work for Public Media." DATE/TIME: Friday, April 4, 2025 (1pm ET) ABOUT: Shaper your argument and your prose from published scholarship for non-academic audiences, from your framing question to the pitches. REGISTER DP&L Resources Set your writing goals with us!. Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: https://www.taaonline.net/ New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
Write Like a Thought Leader: How to Find a Constant Stream of Story Ideas to Position Yourself As the Go-To Expert in Your Niche Are there individuals in your audience brimming with groundbreaking ideas, eager to make a mark in business and tackle global challenges, yet feeling their voices remain unheard? If so, they're not alone. To amplify their message and truly make an impact, mastering the art of idea discovery and communication is paramount. I'm thrilled to introduce Rhea Wessel, a trailblazing Thought Leader, Writer, and corporate thought-leadership writing trainer hailing from Frankfurt, Germany. Rhea has recently honed her expertise, now placing a significant emphasis on ethical and innovative AI-infused writing. This fresh perspective is seamlessly woven into her latest literary offering, "Write Like a Thought Leader: How to Find a Constant Stream of Story Ideas to Position Yourself As the Go-To Expert in Your Niche," released on February 18, 2022 [ISBN: 0997062525, eBook: $7.99, Paperback $12.99]. In an enlightening conversation with Rhea, your audience will learn: Strategies for ideation, storytelling, and article crafting that integrate ethical and inventive AI methodologies to propel their businesses or careers forward. The utilization of The Story-Framing System, an innovative framework crafted by Rhea herself, to elevate the structure and presentation of their ideas. Approaches to tackle audience challenges with fresh and captivating story angles, steering clear of conventional and mundane content. Techniques for generating a steady flow of story concepts that deeply resonate with their audience, stressing the importance of ethical and original AI-powered writing. The hallmarks of a compelling idea and the essentials of effective thought-leadership writing in today's digital landscape. Guidance on evading common pitfalls and ethical missteps in business writing, ensuring a captivating and principled narrative. Rhea Wessel, an accomplished American writer with a rich background in journalism and corporate storytelling, serves as the founder and leader of The Institute for Thought Leadership. Her dedication to ethical and innovative AI-infused writing aligns seamlessly with her mission to equip organizations and individuals with the tools to communicate their ideas with impact. About the Author: Rhea Wessel, an American writer, specializes in empowering companies to expand their reach by enhancing their storytelling capabilities. She provides guidance on ideation, messaging, and the art of articulating one's best ideas to drive innovation. With a prolific career in journalism, Rhea has penned thousands of articles for esteemed publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and BBC. As a corporate writer, she has crafted and refined countless narratives spanning across 30 diverse industries. Rhea proudly leads The Institute for Thought Leadership. For further insights, visit the website at www.instituteforthoughtleadership.com and connect with Rhea on FaceBook | FB Author | Linkedin
A lot of copywriters want to expand their businesses beyond client work. But what does it take to do that? How do you come up with a new offer? And how do you test whether your audience actually wants it? Ross O'Lochlainn is my guest for the 439th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast. He shares what it takes to come up with and validate a new offer. We also talked about how he found his first clients (and idea that works today) and how A.I. is affecting marketing and a lot more. Click the play button below, or scroll down for a full transcript. Stuff to check out: Ross' Website The Client Studio How to Write Like a MoFo 10 Energizing Hook Frames The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground Full Transcript: Rob Marsh: How do you go from copywriter or content writer to problem solver and irresistible offer maker for your clients? This is The Copywriter Club Podcast. A lot of copywriters jump into client work with both feet, they find some success and create a business that makes money, but also find that it takes a lot of time they may have been hoping to use for non-work activities. Spending time with family. Having lunch with a friend. Or taking in a movie in the middle of the day. Serving clients is time-intensive whether you're doing research, writing copy, managing the client relationship, or looking for and pitching your next client. And of course, there's the bookkeeping and marketing and the other basic office stuff that takes up time. It's pretty common that copywriters tell me they want to change up their business a bit so they have more time for the personal things they want to fit into their days. But the constant stream of client work makes it hard to fit in the other options like products for your niche or templatized services ready to buy off the shelf and easy to fulfill on. And once you have an offer you want to make… how do you test whether it will work with your audience? How do you find the problems you can solve or the gains your potential clients want to get? On this episode you're going to hear about a process that can help with that validation and how you identify not just the problem, but the kind of client you want to work with on these non-copy products. My guest for this week is Ross O'Lochlainn. I met Ross a few years ago when he came to our Copywriter Club in Real Life Event in Brooklyn. Since then, Ross has built a pretty unique business where he works a few hours a day helping his clients solve big problems. Then he spends his free time training in Brazilian Ju Jitsu and spending time with his wife. Ross is a copywriter but he does far more than just write copy. He's become an expert in client attraction, moving customers into high-paid coaching opportunities and like I said a moment ago, solving big marketing problems. From the outside, it appears to be a great business model, so I wanted to see how Ross built that business and what we can learn from his approach. As we talked Ross also shared the idea that having a product is not enough. Having a lead magnet is not enough. There's some alchemy to making the elements work together to generate a “lead with intent”. The intent here makes a ton of difference. Finding “perfect fit” prospects to join your email isn't easy. And Ross shares how he does it. Oh, and we talk about A.I. in this one too. You'll want to listen to this episode right up to the closing credits. It's a good one. As usual, this episode is brought to you by The Copywriter Underground. This episode is all about creating a business that works for you and provides you with the time you need for the life you want to live. And The Underground is packed with resources to help you gain confidence and help your clients solve big problems like Ross does. From templates to get you started (including a legal document and a proven onboarding process) to workshops to help you build your authority, attract clients,
Flow State of Mind Podcast | Health | Fitness | Physique | Psychology | Business
If you're tired of getting ghosted in the DM's and you are about ready to give up when it comes to DM outreach, listen to this episode. Trust me, I've been there. It's demoralizing after awhile but we found a two message solution that gets people to respond and you can do it acting like an actual human who cares and wants to provide value and a effective solution. Time Stamps: (0:35) Getting Ghosted In The DM's (1:36) The First Two DM Messages (1:46) The Strategy: Be Human (3:23) Second Voice Message ---------- Whenever You're Ready, Here Are 4 Ways We Can Help You (For Free) (Community) Join the Fitness Business Secrets FB Community to Unlock Your Free 5 Clients in 5 Days Mini-Course (Content) Grab our exact post templates that are responsible for more than 3,500 online clients in our business Automated Post Planner (Instagram) 3-5x Your Engagement, Grow an Audience and Generate Dream Clients from Instagram IG Playbook For Health & Fitness Coaches (Get Clarity) Schedule a FREE No-Obligation 15-minute Call to Explore How To Add 10,000/Mo to Your Business–Guaranteed
Flow State of Mind Podcast | Health | Fitness | Physique | Psychology | Business
Leading EK Editorial & Coaching, Elise Krentzel's narrative expertise has developed over a 35-year entrepreneurial career in music, media, and publishing globally. By collaborating with our clients, we create books and content that reflect their ethical visions and societal contributions. With a focus on editorial services that include ghostwriting, the Write Like a Rebel online writing course, book coaching, editing, and publishing, our services resonate with business leaders eager to share their impactful stories, including those they don't yet know exist. At EKPR, strategic creative direction merges with effective communication to enhance brand identities through compelling executive storytelling. My experience in creative direction and writing helps me forge meaningful connections between clients and their audiences, ensuring their stories resonate and endure in books, speeches, press releases, and commercials. "Under My Skin: Drama, Trauma, & Rock 'n' Roll" starts Elise's memoir trilogy. "Rogue Entrepreneur - Her Memoir" is set to drop in late spring. She is a poet, culture journalist, and itinerant traveler, as well as a proud mother of one son. She lives in Austin, TX.https://www.elisekrentzel.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.
You're not just writing a book—you're building your career, your impact, your legacy. But between your business, job, and life's constant demands, writing keeps slipping through the cracks. I know you're not looking for another "just make time" pep talk. You need a system that fits your life, not fights against it.This episode is your turning point. I'll show you how to streamline your writing process, maximize every session, and finish your book without burnout or sacrifice. You don't need more discipline—you need a strategy that works for YOU. No more writing in circles or feeling guilty for falling behind. It's time to take control of your writing schedule and finally hit your goals.
Welcome to Your Partner In Success Radio – I am your host, Denise Griffitts and I am excited to welcome my guest Rhea Wessel who is an accomplished American writer and thought leadership strategist based in Frankfurt, Germany. With over 25 years of experience in journalism, she has written for prestigious publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and BBC. Rhea Wessel has leveraged her expertise to found The Institute for Thought Leadership, where she helps companies grow by empowering their subject-matter experts with journalistic thinking and writing skills.Her extensive portfolio spans thousands of stories across 30 industries, both as a journalist and a corporate writer. Her book, "Write Like a Thought Leader: How to Find a Constant Stream of Story Ideas to Position Yourself As the Go-To Expert in Your Niche," published in 2022, provides valuable tools for emerging thought leaders to craft compelling stories. Currently, she is working on a second version that focuses on utilizing AI to enhance thought leadership in small and mid-sized firms.Connect with Rhea Wessel: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Amazon We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!Stay ConnectedWebsite: Your Partner In Success RadioEmail: mail@yourofficeontheweb.com
Eoin Higgins, author of Owned, talks about tech moguls and the journalists, like Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi, who work for them. Ronnie Grinberg, author of Write Like a Man, on the mostly male, mostly Jewish New York intellectuals of the postwar scene. Behind the News, hosted by Doug Henwood, covers the worlds of economics and politics and their complex interactions, from the local to the global. Find the archive online: https://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/radio.html
Good writing is the foundation of thought leadership. Whether you choose to write articles online, publish a book, or a combination of both, there's no way around it: writing is an essential skill for any entrepreneur looking to build their authority. Today's guest is here to help you sharpen your storytelling skills. As the founder of The Institute for Thought Leadership, Rhea Wessel helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through story smarts. She advises on messaging, AI writing, and finding and articulating your best ideas. As a journalist, Rhea wrote thousands of stories for outlets like the NYT, WSJ, and BBC, and has penned and edited thousands of stories across 30 industries. Becoming a Thought Leader There's no formula for becoming a thought leader–but there are shortcuts. Writing a book is one of the fastest ways to skyrocket your authority. Publishing a book can help you gain invitations to speak on bigger stages, which leads to more sales, more invitations, and so on. Books can also be repurposed into social media posts, newsletters, and blogs. Rhea recommends publishing one book per year. If you're just dipping your toe into the thought leadership world, you might want to start with online content. But don't be afraid to pursue bigger publications–one great article could change your business. The 3-Step Process for Thought Leadership Writing The first step in establishing thought leadership is to know your niche. What is your area of expertise and how are you going to distinguish yourself from others in the industry? Once you're clear on your niche, look for creative ways to frame it. When you're writing about the same topics over and over again, you need fresh ways of framing your ideas. For example, you could repeat the same story, but frame it through the lens of a different audience. If you have more than one ideal customer avatar (ICA), this technique can help you generate new story ideas. The last step is to flesh out your ideas and start writing. Rhea recommends always having an editor or friend review your work. Everything you publish is a reflection of your brand, so quality matters. Enjoy this episode with Rhea Wessel… Soundbytes 6:47-7:19 “You need to have a writing practice if you're going to be constantly finding new ideas to serve your audience and externalizing those. You need to have ways to take a thought that's just emerging, capture it, and potentially park it for a while until it matures and you're ready to turn that into a piece of intellectual property.” 12:53-13:11 “I am using generative AI daily and It has changed the way I gather information, it's changed the way that I collect it, and also how I write my articles.” Quotes “Writing is thinking on paper.” “Thought leadership practice lives off intellectual property.” “There are so many great ideas, but they're not being heard.” “I want to help the world's true subject matter experts get their best ideas out there.” Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Website: http://www.instituteforthoughtleadership.com Connect with Rhea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rheawessel/ Write Like a Thought Leader Book: https://getbook.at/WriteLikeThoughtLeader Connect with brandiD Download our free guide to learn 16 crucial website updates that attract more leads and convert visitors into clients: https://thebrandid.com/website-tweaks/ Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form/
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comAs 2024 draws to a close, I've been reflecting on the most important topics and trends that shaped the legal profession this year. At or near the top of the list, of course, was artificial intelligence. How will AI transform the practice of law and the legal profession? How will it affect employment opportunities for attorneys? What changes will it bring to legal education and the training of young lawyers?I tackled all of these topics in the latest episode of the Original Jurisdiction podcast, in conversation with Ross Guberman. One of the nation's leading authorities on legal writing, Ross has conducted thousands of writing workshops and has written two authoritative books on the topic, Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation's Top Advocates and Point Taken: How to Write Like the World's Greatest Judges.Ross's most recent venture is BriefCatch, a legal-tech startup that produces an amazing writing and editing tool of the same name. It harnesses the power of technology, including AI, to help lawyers produce their very best written work product.And as Ross revealed in our conversation, BriefCatch has used AI to address one of legal writing's most annoying aspects: Bluebooking, i.e., adherence to the copious, complex, confusing conventions for citing authorities of different types. If you hate The Bluebook, then you'll love this forthcoming addition to BriefCatch. Congrats to Ross and his colleagues on this incredible innovation. (Disclosure: I'm on the BriefCatch board.)Show Notes:* Ross Guberman bio, Legal Writing Pro* BriefCatch, official website* Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation's Top Advocates, Amazon* Point Taken: How to Write Like the World's Best Judges, AmazonPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
Explore the cutting edge of legal writing with Ross Guberman, the founder of a company called Legal Writing Pro. In this episode, learn interesting ways that generative AI can help lawyers write better briefs and contracts. In this episode, you will hear: Generative AI tools for stress-free, effective legal writing Insights on creating influential legal writing resources Exploration of BriefCatch, an AI-powered legal writing tool Ethical considerations and potential of AI in legal practice Strategies for crafting compelling legal arguments and reply briefs Resources from this Episode Show Note Links LinkedIn post by Carolyn Elefant about using AI to write briefs Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation's Top Advocates Point Taken: How to Write Like the World's Best Judges Deal Struck: The World's Best Drafting Tips Legal Writing Pro (Ross's company website) BriefCatch software SmartBrevity: The Power of Saying More with Less ("Brevity is confidence. Length is fear.") ChatGPT Perplexity Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice General Resources Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free) Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
Curious about how a private podcast could transform your niche online school by deepening student engagement and driving enrollment?In today's episode, we're thrilled to chat with Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman, renowned folklorists and co-founders of The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic. They'll share insights on how they've used private podcasts not only to enhance their teaching but also to boost lead generation for their niche online school.Timestamps:[0:00] Introduction to Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman, and the Carter Hall School of Folklore and the Fantastic.[3:25] The transition from academic life to entrepreneurship and the establishment of their unique educational platform.[5:09] Discovery of private podcasts and their decision to implement this tool in their business.[10:23] How they use private podcasts as a lead generation tool and its effectiveness in their marketing strategy.[14:18] The advantages of using private podcasts over other forms of content delivery.[17:48] Discussion on the direct feedback and responses from their audience concerning the private podcasts.[21:15] Current status and future plans for using their private podcast series in their educational business model.[25:17] Closing thoughts on the power of starting before everything is perfect and the ease of podcast creation using specific tools.Links mentioned:Website: http://www.carterhaughschool.comLead Magnet: https://carterhaughschool.com/carterhaugh-folk-magic/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/carterhaughschoolFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/carterhaughschool/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carterhaughschoolInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/carterhaugh.school/Twitter: https://twitter.com/carterhaughllcYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmltLkSoR6HsjnFl-rOe6UATikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carterhaughschoolPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Carterhaughschool/Freebie: "Folk Magic: 10 Things You Can Do TODAY to Make Your Life More Magical Through Folklore" is practical inspiration for simple ways to add a touch of enchantment to your day. https://carterhaughschool.com/carterhaugh-folk-magic/"Write Like a Witch" private podcast lead magnet/freebie : https://carterhaughschool.lpages.co/write-like-a-witch-private-podcast/
Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I'm excited to be joined by David Perell, who's here to share his expertise on how to write really well. David is a master in the art of writing, and together we'll dive into his top tips on the essential components of good writing, how to overcome writer's block, and practical activities you can do to become a stronger writer. After all, better writing leads to bigger wins! Topics We Cover in This Episode: What it truly takes to improve your writing The many benefits of becoming a better writer The two phases of writing and how they can enhance your work The one key principle to keep in mind if you want to achieve your goals Books and exercises that will help sharpen your writing skills The step-by-step process for creating great content The core element every writer needs to craft compelling pieces The secret to producing well-rounded, impactful writing I hope you enjoyed this episode with David! He has so many valuable tips for becoming a better writer and I hope this conversation helps you get started improving your writing today. If you want to get in touch with David, make sure to follow him on LinkedIn and X. You can also check out the podcast episode he did on storytelling and the episode he did on copy editing. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Check out David's podcast episode with Shaan Puri on storytelling Listen to David's podcast episode with Harry Dry on copy editing Follow David on LinkedIn Follow David on X Listen to Mark Forsyth (author of Elements of Eloquence) Interview
Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I'm excited to be joined by David Perell, who's here to share his expertise on how to write really well. David is a master in the art of writing, and together we'll dive into his top tips on the essential components of good writing, how to overcome writer's block, and practical activities you can do to become a stronger writer. After all, better writing leads to bigger wins! Topics We Cover in This Episode: What it truly takes to improve your writing The many benefits of becoming a better writer The two phases of writing and how they can enhance your work The one key principle to keep in mind if you want to achieve your goals Books and exercises that will help sharpen your writing skills The step-by-step process for creating great content The core element every writer needs to craft compelling pieces The secret to producing well-rounded, impactful writing I hope you enjoyed this episode with David! He has so many valuable tips for becoming a better writer and I hope this conversation helps you get started improving your writing today. If you want to get in touch with David, make sure to follow him on LinkedIn and X. You can also check out the podcast episode he did on storytelling and the episode he did on copy editing. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Check out David's podcast episode with Shaan Puri on storytelling Listen to David's podcast episode with Harry Dry on copy editing Follow David on LinkedIn Follow David on X Listen to Mark Forsyth (author of Elements of Eloquence) Interview
In the years following World War II, the New York intellectuals became some of the most renowned critics and writers in the country. Although mostly male and Jewish, this prominent group also included women and non-Jews. Yet all of its members embraced a secular Jewish machismo that became a defining characteristic of the contemporary experience. Write like a Man: Jewish Masculinity and the New York Intellectuals (Princeton University Press, 2024) examines how the New York intellectuals shared a uniquely American conception of Jewish masculinity that prized verbal confrontation, polemical aggression, and an unflinching style of argumentation. Dr. Ronnie Grinberg paints illuminating portraits of figures such as Norman Mailer, Hannah Arendt, Lionel and Diana Trilling, Mary McCarthy, Norman Podhoretz, Midge Decter, and Irving Howe. She describes how their construction of Jewish masculinity helped to propel the American Jew from outsider to insider even as they clashed over its meaning in a deeply anxious project of self-definition. Along the way, Dr. Grinberg sheds light on their fraught encounters with the most contentious issues and ideas of the day, from student radicalism and the civil rights movement to feminism, Freudianism, and neoconservatism. A spellbinding chronicle of mid-century America, Write like a Man shows how a combative and intellectually grounded vision of Jewish manhood contributed to the masculinization of intellectual life and shaped some of the most important political and cultural debates of the postwar era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose new book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In the years following World War II, the New York intellectuals became some of the most renowned critics and writers in the country. Although mostly male and Jewish, this prominent group also included women and non-Jews. Yet all of its members embraced a secular Jewish machismo that became a defining characteristic of the contemporary experience. Write like a Man: Jewish Masculinity and the New York Intellectuals (Princeton University Press, 2024) examines how the New York intellectuals shared a uniquely American conception of Jewish masculinity that prized verbal confrontation, polemical aggression, and an unflinching style of argumentation. Dr. Ronnie Grinberg paints illuminating portraits of figures such as Norman Mailer, Hannah Arendt, Lionel and Diana Trilling, Mary McCarthy, Norman Podhoretz, Midge Decter, and Irving Howe. She describes how their construction of Jewish masculinity helped to propel the American Jew from outsider to insider even as they clashed over its meaning in a deeply anxious project of self-definition. Along the way, Dr. Grinberg sheds light on their fraught encounters with the most contentious issues and ideas of the day, from student radicalism and the civil rights movement to feminism, Freudianism, and neoconservatism. A spellbinding chronicle of mid-century America, Write like a Man shows how a combative and intellectually grounded vision of Jewish manhood contributed to the masculinization of intellectual life and shaped some of the most important political and cultural debates of the postwar era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose new book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history
Historian Ronnie Grinberg's new book Write Like a Man: Jewish Masculinity and the New York Intellectuals couldn't be better "Know Your Enemy" fodder. (Main characters include: Midge Decter and Norman Podhoretz, Diana and Lionel Trilling, Irving Howe, Alfred Kazin, and Mary McCarthy!) These writers, Grinberg shows, built and sustained a novel, secular, Jewish, and masculine concept of the intellectual life, an ideology that would profoundly affected the development of Cold War liberalism, neo-conservativism, Zionism, and right-wing reaction against feminism, gay rights, and black power. As we discovered in this conversation, it's impossible to make sense of the creative and scholarly contributions of the New York Intellectuals — good and bad — without gender as an essential lens. Moreover, Grinberg shows how scholars can easily misapprehend the deeper motivations for neoconservative reaction (among those such as Podhoretz and Decter) if they are not attentive to the centrality of gender, sexuality, and patriarchy in these thinkers' work. Further Reading:Ronnie Grinberg, Write Like a Man: Jewish Masculinity and the New York Intellectuals (Mar 2024)Sam Adler-Bell, "The New York Intellectuals Were a Boys' Club," Chronicle of Higher Education, Apr 10, 2024Matthew Sitman, "Midge Decter to Howard Meyer, April 15, 1987," Friends and Enemies, Apr 8, 2024B.D. McClay, "Of Course They Hated Her: The Uncomfortable Honesty of Mary McCarthy," Commonweal, Dec 18, 2017William Barrett, The Truants: Adventures Among the Intellectuals (1982)Mary McCarthy, The Group (1963)Tess Slesinger, The Unpossessed (1934)Norman Podhoretz, Breaking Ranks: A Political Memoir (1979)Irving Howe, World of Our Fathers (1976)Further Viewing:D. A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus,"Town Bloody Hall" (1979)Further Listening:KYE, "Midge Decter, Anti-Feminist Cold Warrior (w/ Moira Donegan and Adrian Daub," Jul 28, 2023KYE, "What Happened to Norman (w/ David Klion)," Jan 16, 2020
Subscribe to Know Your Enemy on Patreon to listen to this premium episode, and all of our bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/knowyourenemy It was inevitable that Know Your Enemy would eventually discuss Arguing the World, the 1998 documentary about four Jewish intellectuals who emerged from the alcoves and arguments of City College in the 1930s and influenced American politics and letters for much of the rest of the twentieth century, and beyond: Irving Howe, Irving Kristol, Daniel Bell, and Nathan Glazer.Why now? Most of all, it's the kind of documentary we love—the personal rivalries, the gossip, the self-conscious intellectuality, and the, well, arguments. But we'll also be publishing an episode next week with historian Ronnie Grinberg about her new book, Write Like a Man: Jewish Masculinity and the New York Intellectuals, and while the overlap in subject matter is not perfect, this documentary would make for a great primer for listeners (since we know you're the kind of listeners who do not despise homework). It's also an excellent chance to revisit the history of the left, old and new, and their fraught relationship with each other; to consider the place of intellectuals and thinking in a time of urgent action; and, as ever, to talk about the ways the subjects of Arguing the World might fit into America's right turn and "how we got here."Watch:Arguing the World, dir. Joseph Dorman (1998); YouTube, PBS, IMDBRead:Irving Howe, "This Age of Conformity," Partisan Review, Jan-Feb 1954Irving Howe, "Socialism and Liberalism: Articles of Conciliation?" Dissent, Winter 1977Irving Kristol, “Memoirs of a Trotskyist,” NYTimes, Jan 23, 1977
Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips
In episode #2695, we delve into the intricacies of strategizing for a one-person marketing team within a small business. Our emphasis lies in initiating the process by investigating where the competition drives sales, and we suggest leveraging marketing tools to analyze competitor channels. Additionally, we explore the power of ChatGPT prompts to identify ideal customer profiles and develop effective marketing strategies. Join us as we uncover valuable insights to empower solo marketers in small businesses. Don't forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube! Check out more of Eric's content (Leveling UP YT) and Neil's videos (Neil Patel YT) TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: (00:00) Today's topic: How To Get Massive Reach on LinkedIn in 2024 (00:32) Neil Patel advises focusing on the channel driving the most traffic and sales for competitors. (01:24) Eric Siu emphasizes the importance of finding where the target audience hangs out. (02:49) Neil Patel mentions using Chat GPT to identify the ideal customer and their preferred platforms. (03:51) Eric Siu shares a method to get Google Gemini to write like you. (05:11) Neil Patel suggests using Gemini with blog posts to train the system better. (06:27) Eric Siu discusses Mark Zuckerberg's belief in making decisions and being involved in many areas. (07:30) Neil Patel relates this approach to Amazon's strategy of involving the founder in idea development. (08:46) Eric Siu humorously refers to Neil Patel and Dharmesh Shah's lack of direct reports as the "Indian billionaire way." (09:29) Neil Patel admits he is a terrible manager and prefers being an individual contributor. (10:10) Neil Patel enjoys taking matters into his own hands and getting things done. (10:56) Neil Patel emphasizes the importance of seeking feedback from others, even for individual contributors. (13:10) Eric Siu discusses the "zone of genius" exercise and shares his own areas of expertise. (13:58) Neil Patel focuses on strategy and enjoys it the most. (14:39) That's it for today! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! Go to https://www.marketingschool.io to learn more! Leave Some Feedback: What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. Connect with Us: Single Grain
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