Write to Publish

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Gaitree Cuppoor about her book 'ABC of World Languages', which is a wonderful celebration of folk songs from around the world in every language from A-Z! You can find Gaitree's book on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

As part of our author interview special episodes for Autumn 2025, I chat with Paula C Russell author of the 'One More Try' series. She talks about how she wrote nine books in lockdown and now has the task of editing and refining her series! You can buy 'One More Try' and 'Let Me Go' on Amazon - watch out for the next books in the series!

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Maria Culley about her book 'There's a Nanny in MY House!' and about her plans for a sequel. You can find Maria's book on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Writing is time-consuming, there is no doubt, and whilst the process itself is part of the fun, there are still ways in which you can increase your efficiency as a writer. In this episode, we explore some tips and tricks to make sure you are at your most productive whilst still creating a masterpiece! What are your writing tricks for efficiency? karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Writing rules are sometimes there to be broken but you do need an understanding of the rules before you do that! There are some mistakes that can cause real damage to your writing as a whole, and in this episode, we cover info dumping, passive voice, flat characters, and weak openings, and why you really should pay attention to these writing 'rules'. As always, if you have any questions just drop...

Does your writing feel flat and uninspiring when you read it back to yourself? The truth is, you can have the best content in the world but if you don't deliver it in a way that is engaging and compelling, then your book will end up in the DNF pile. In this episode, we talk about some of the tips and tricks that can take your writing from meh to wow! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if y...

You can write the best book in the world, but if you don't get the marketing right, then your readers will never know it's there! In this episode, we examine the key factors that influence a book’s success, including genre expectations, cover design, pricing strategies, reader psychology, and marketing tactics. As always, send me a message if you have any questions karen@mabelandstanleypublishing....

In this episode, we discuss the different stages of editing - self-editing, developmental edits, line edits, and proofreads - so you can refine your work and prepare it for publication. Any questions then drop me a message karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com - I'm always happy to help!

Two things that will hold a writer back are procrastination and overwhelm, but it is important to remember that nothing will hold you back more than the search for perfection. In this episode, we explore some strategies that will help you to make real progress in your writing. If you are looking for a great tool to get you on your way, why not try my Kick Start Your Fiction Writing Journey Course?...

Characters are the backbone of your story, and so it is important to write characters that really make your readers FEEL something! From creating back stories to traits and quirks, in this episode, we delve into the techniques that will bring your characters to life and have your readers begging for more!

Join me in this episode as I share the answers to some of the most common questions for new authors when it comes to self-publishing. Things like formatting queries, ISBN numbers, and how to market your book successfully. As always if you have any questions just drop me a line at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com Please subscribe and share, it helps the show to grow and makes me super happy and...

Dialogue can make or break your manuscript; if you get it right, it will move your plot forward and bring your characters to life. In this episode, I share some top tips for writing dialogue that is engaging, relatable and showcases each character's unique voice. If you have any questions or you'd like some feedback for your own writing, please do get in touch karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.co.uk...

The phrase 'show don't tell' is used in writing extensively but it can be tricky to really comprehend how and why to use it. In this episode we discuss the benefits of show don't tell writing and share some examples of how you might use it in your own writing...

In this episode we explore advanced writing techniques to make your prose more engaging, including sentence variation, strong imagery, and pacing strategies that keep readers hooked. If you have any questions relating to the topics covered today's show or you would like to ask about a different aspect of writing and publishing, get in touch at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com or follow us on so...

You've finished the first draft...now what? Revising your manuscript is where you start to polish your story and turn it into something publish-worthy. In this episode we talk about what you'll need to do before you hire a professional; from analysing your story arc and spotting plot holes, to deciding which scenes you need to cut or expand. If you have any questions about how to polish your first...

Hosting a launch can be a great way to celebrate the publication of your book. But there are some dos and don't to follow that can help you to get the biggest impact with regard to marketing your book in the future. In this episode we discuss venues, format, and tips for a successful book launch. There are lots of tips on launching your book to be found in the Mabel and Stanley Writing and Publish...

It is important that you and your editor have a good working relationship and so you will need to do your research beforehand. In this episode we delve into the different types of editing including developmental, line editing and proof reading to help you understand what help you may need for your manuscript. One thing is for certain, you really shouldn't skip the editing phase if you are to have...

In this episode we delve into the pros and cons of hybrid publishing and how it is different to Traditional, Self and Vanity methods. It is so important to do your research whatever method you choose... If you have any publishing questions please do get in contact at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com or follow me on social media @mabelandstanleypublishing

In this interview I talk to the incredible Ines Zdelar about her book 'Teaching Baby to Sleep. Ines is a professional Nanny and sleep coach and she is passionate about the power of quality sleep for new mothers and their babies. Ines talks about the challenges she faced when writing her book, the power of having a mentor to keep her accountable and the overwhelming joy she felt when her book was p...

Author promotion can sometimes be harder than writing the book - especially for us creative types! The fact is, that if you don't promote yourself as an author then no-one is going to know when your book is published; and that won't be great for book sales! In this episode we talk about the importance of building an author platform and the ways in which you can become visible creating a solid fan...

The hard truth is that if you do not market your book it will not sell. In this episode I share tips for a marketing strategy that will help you to raise your author profile and sell more books. But remember this is not a quick fix, marketing takes time and commitment to be effective - it's a long game. If you'd like help with your book launch strategy, drop me a message karen@mabelandstanleypubli...

Sarah is a business mentor and strategist and author of Selling Without Sleaze.  In this episode she talks about her book journey - writing was not something she particularly felt drawn to initially - and how her book helped her to build her own business credibility. Sarah talks about the challenges she faced when trying to organise her thoughts and ideas and how she wished she had found a writing...

Writing can be a lonely old business and having a community of supportive, like-minded people around you can really help with motivation, inspiration and feedback which will greatly improve your chances of building on your writing skills and finishing your book! If you're looking for a community then the Mabel and Stanley Writing and Publishing Community could be the very place to help you on your...

Self publishing is an increasingly viable and attractive option for both new and seasoned authors, giving greater control and royalties in the long run. In essence it is a 'free' option but that doesn't mean you should cut corners when cutting costs. A poorly produced book will do nothing for your author credibility although there are definitely lots of ways in which you can publish on a budget wi...

Richard Pearson was one of the cleaning heroes on Channel 5's Filthy House SOS. In this interview he talks about his author journey writing his children's book Sparkle and the Messy Monster. Richard is passionate about cleaning and inspiring kids to help out around the house learning valuable life skills housekeeping habits that will stay with them forever. Richard is a great guy and it was wonder...