Episode 243 / We are thrilled (pun intended!) to chat with contemporary crime and conspiracy thriller author Nick Stevens. We talk about anti-heroes, setups and payoffs, Tremors, and why sometimes you just have to publish the book. 10:58 Why emotional connection is better than perfect structure in storytelling 14:00 Using multiple formats to divers…

Episode 242 / We're diving deep into listener questions about everything from drafting and editing techniques, tackling imposter syndrome, and decoding our strengths. 🥤☕️ So grab your favorite beverage—be it Diet Coke or a cup of comforting coffee–and join us for a Wednesday chat about writing. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknow…

Episode 241 / Whether you're an introvert or extrovert you can develop a platform to grow your author brand. Learn how with authors of From Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker, suspense and thriller author Matty Dalrymple and science fiction & fantasy author M.L. Ronn (Michael La Ronn). Topics: How to match your platform to your p…

Episode 240 / In 2024, Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe paired their love of regency romances like Bridgerton with their bad habit of killing people in their books to create a new series that they rapid-released, the Crown Jewels Regency Mystery Series. Topics: Why brutal honesty is critical for collaboration How to spot trends Tips on how to incor…

Episode 239 / Want to make a big impact with your book? Publicist, award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and author of Make a Big Impact with Your Book, Melanie Herschorn, has tips to help you stand out. Topics: Beyond the Launch: keep promoting—your book is new to someone who hasn’t read it yet Misconceptions around marketing: engage beyond book…

Episode 238 / Want some ideas on how to get readers on your newsletter list? On this Ask Us Anything episode, we have SO MANY ideas for you! Topics: Expectations for earnings Building a List Preview Promos Reader magnets Difference between pre- and post-novel reader magnets Creative reader magnets 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidk…

Episode 237/Guest: Luke Mitchel, science fiction and fantasy author Topics: Luke’s transition from KU to wide and direct sales Self-editing and revisions and accepting your writing style Writing short stories to refresh the creative process Moving away from social media and focusing on email marketing and direct sales 💙 Become a supporter of the po…

Episode 236 / Ever wondered why certain characters steal your heart? This week we chat with Jessica Firpi, a TV and movie reviewer as well as a K-drama enthusiast and podcast host. We explore everything from effective "save the cat" moments to why a sunshine character can make a dark character shine. If you've ever wondered how to make your charact…

Episode 235 / Fantasy romance author Penn Cole shares tips on writing to market in a way that goes beyond the usual analysis of trends and tropes, patience in the writing and publishing process, and translations using an agent. Topics: Penn’s tips on prepping for publication and ARC teams How to research and write to market in a deep way, focusing …

Episode 234 / Liz Shipton is a freelance writer, hybrid author, and full-time, off-grid, liveaboard sailor. She shares how changing her lifestyle to become a digital nomad created more time for writing and how she uses Tik Tok to market her books. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive supporter episodes, the…

Episode 233 / Ever wished you had some writing hacks to make your drafting and editing go more smoothly? (And who hasn’t?) Then this episode with cozy author Barbara Emodi is for you! Barbara is a developmental editor for emerging writers and has great insights. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast and get access to the backlist of exclusive suppo…

Episode 232 / Jessie Kwak writes supernatural thrillers and sci-fi crime as well as nonfiction productivity books including, From Chaos to Creativity and From Big Idea to Book. Topics: Trusting your own process, reassessing expectations, and enjoying the writing process How Jessie blends sci-fi and crime genres and found her second series easier to…

Episode 231 / Dr. Nick Courtright of Atmosphere Press, a literary hybrid publisher dedicated to author rights, joins us to discuss different publishing options, letting go of the mindset that you must have an agent, and the importance of a personal brand. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive supporter episo…

Subscriber-only episode In this supporter-exclusive chat, we broke down the Enemies to Lovers trope–and it’s not just for romance novels! From Pride and Prejudice to You've Got Mail, we've got tons of insights and examples that show how friction and chemistry can turn rivalry into romance. Why readers love this trope The need to maintain the core c…

Episode 230 / A.B. Herron blends elements of fantasy and romance in her fiction. She shares about balancing a full-time job while diving headfirst into the world of writing, the joy of connecting with readers at book fairs, and the critical role a supportive community plays in overcoming challenges, especially for authors with dyslexia. 💙 🎙 Become …

Episode 229 / Learn about the four basic types of relationship arcs from freelance developmental editor and writing writing instructor, September C. Fawkes. Discover how mapping arcs can define the direction and evolution of your characters' relationships and create a dynamic, zigzag narrative. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to t…

Episode 228 / Kemper Donovan is the host of the All About Agatha podcast and author of The Busy Body, a USA Today bestseller on launch earlier this year. Kemper shares tips for querying and how podcasting about Agatha Christie helped him connect with mystery authors and also provided a built-in audience for his book. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the p…

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! From "giggle water" to "the bee's knees," I explore the unique expressions that defined a generation in this episode. Hear how I incorporated this snazzy lingo into my High Society Lady Detective series, including Murder at Archly Manor. Discover the differences between American and British slang of the …

Episode 227 / Liz Long shares her journey of embracing her own uniqueness, particularly in relation to ADHD and finding peace and growth after personal loss. Quick note: the language in this episode isn’t as family-friendly as our usual G/PG episodes, so just be aware of that. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exc…

Episode 226 / Author, musician, and marketer, Paul Indigo shares insights on seeking validation, embracing our voice, and the unconventional use of an Excel spreadsheet for writing and marketing. If you’ve tried all the writing software and haven’t found one that works for you, perhaps your answer is a spreadsheet! 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the pod…

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! High Society Hijinks: Discover the elaborate jokes that shocked and amused the London elite! From fake art exhibits to outrageous social stunts, the Bright Young People of the era knew how to make a statement. 😎 We'll take a closer look at the infamous Bruno Hat hoax, where a group of pranksters fooled t…

Episode 225 / Megan Vernon, author of over 40 romance novels, joins us to talk about starting over after a difficult experience of being publicly criticized. We talk about the need to give ourselves grace and the importance of a supportive community for navigating the ups and downs of a writing career. Megan shares about her creation of the Mojo Do…

Episode 224 / Kate Johnson is the co-founder of Zory, an interactive reading app that merges the depth found in fiction with the choose-your-path-style plotlines of narrative video games. Kate shares details about Zory and craft tips about GMC as well as the All Is Lost moment. Plus we talk about trends in genre blending, and what Kate sees coming …

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Step into the world of luxurious London living and intriguing mystery 🏢 These upscale apartments offered a new level of comfort and convenience for the affluent, with amenities like maid service, meal delivery, and even squash courts! 🎾 Discover the real-life inspiration behind fictional service flats li…

Episode 223 / Do you like to discover the plot as you write? Do you get bored if you know where the story is going? Then a skeleton draft might be what you need. Paranormal and gothic romance author Steffanie Holmes joins us to talk about how discovery writers can use a skeleton draft to get their ideas down on paper and avoid writer’s block. We al…

Subscriber-only episode Ever wondered how to add a twist of mystery to your narrative? Find out exactly what mystery elements are, how to sprinkle them into your narrative, and why they keep readers turning the pages. Whether you're writing romance, sci-fi, or fantasy, a mystery can add layers of intrigue and depth to your story. I'll be sharing so…

Episode 222 / Jessica Renwich, who writes fantasy and horror for kids ages 9-12, joined us to share her experience as an indie middle grade author. She has terrific insights on approaching schools for author visits and the impact of creating whimsical and fun content to appeal to young readers. In addition to discussing how marketing middle grade b…