After Hours Authors

In this, the very first author interview on the podcast (!), I chat with Loren Tuxford, author of the incredible Nightfall series (details below). She shares her do's and don'ts for writing, and everything in between. Check out Loren's books:Nightfall in the Forest of Betrayal (The Nightfall Series Book 1): https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0CPSST48H?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&...

Welcome to part 2 of the engagement series! In this episode I talk about ways to increase the engagement with your email marketing. Don't feel overwhelmed, just get started and try some of my tips! Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creat...

Most content creators want bigggg follower numbers, right? I would love to encourage all authors to focus more on engagement over the number of followers you have. This is part 1 in a 2-part series. Episode 1 will focus on Instagram, episode 2 will focus on email. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with...

Are you a plotter or a pantser? I am the latter and man oh man, I have learnt a LOT about writing on this journey. Here are 3 things I've learnt in pantsing my first draft. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess's wri...

Live events are a MUST if you want to sell books! I recently went to Book Fair Australia and took note of what author displays looked amazing and why, plus how the best sales conversations went. Check out the incredible stand by Loren Tuxford: https://www.instagram.com/p/DB0s1zeyOU1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by re...

Time to stop stressing about your marketing plans and just have a play! Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess's written works here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/⁠

I don't know a single indie author who doesn't have multiple stories swirling around in their head! Here's 3 practical ways you can get the stories out and jotted down, ready to be written up into a manuscript. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.c...

I asked my followers on Instagram whether they'd prefer a villain character in a book, or a main character that swings between good and evil. Interestingly 71% said the latter! So I thought I'd share my thoughts on why this might be the case. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or T...

I asked my followers on Threads what they wished they'd known before starting as an indie author and her is what they shared! Some amazing tips and guidance for anyone starting out as an author. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/jayk_cre...

Are prologues a yay or a nay? I asked my followers on Threads and Instagram and here is the verdict! Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess's written works here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/⁠

Yep, you're amazing. LISTEN. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess's written works here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/⁠

It's amazing how effective the simplest habits can be. Here's 5 habits I love and want you to implement to support your writing as well! Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess's written works here: ⁠https:...

Keen to avoid characters that fall flat on the page? Yep, me too. I've gathere some questions we can ask about each of our characters to help improve their depth and relateability. Maybe open a Google Doc and answer each one for each of your characters. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on...

No project under the sun is worth burning out for!! Here's some quick and practical tips to prevent burnout and ensure you can deliver your book without ending up a hot mess. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess...

Figuring out how to pitch your book to someone in 3-5 sentences can feel impossible, but this formula might help! Here's the blog post I mention: https://jessknaus.blog/2024/06/23/crafting-a-compelling-book-pitch-a-guide-for-indie-authors/ Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or...

Failure = success. It means you're doing the work. Every fail is a key to unlocking success. Aim. For. It. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess's written works here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/⁠

Here are the 8 fatal flaws that indie authors possess! Ok this is just a bit of fun but I definitely resonate with some (*cough* MANY *cough*) of these. Which ones do you resonate with? Let me know. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_crea...

Ok the long-awaited part 2 to Instagram for authors! Go back and listen to part 1 before venturing your way through this episode. I provide the 3 types of posts to focus on with your content, and give some examples of how you can do each one. But, as with all book marketing, make it your own. Peace! Read my tips from this episode in blog format: https://jessknaus.blog/2024/05/26/maximize-your-inst...

Hello author - time to chill and slow down a lil, ok? Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess's written works here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/⁠

I see a lot of writers in online communities focusing on building very specific story arcs or structures, but I believe the art of storytelling is more important. Here are 3 dos and donts that I think make a better story. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www....

One of the best ways to improve conversations and sales of your book is by targeting the right readers to begin with! In this episode I share the first step of any book marketing campaign. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Chec...

Instagram is a common roadblock for many authors so I wanted to share my thoughts and hopefully help you break through into your own Instagram groove. Check it out and share it with a fellow author! Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_crea...

Getting that first sentence of your book nailed is a bit of an artfrom. In this episode I open up the 5 things that help make first sentences brilliant, and give some examples of first sentences that work really well. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: https://www.instagr...

Oooof dialogue is tough. How do you improve your dialogue? What tips and tricks work for you? In this episode I share the tips I found from other writers about how to make dialogue the best it can be. Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_cr...

I can't think of any writer or creative I know that doesn't struggle with the concept of believing in themselves or their work. This episode is the pep talk we all need! Share your own ideas on this or any other writing topic by reaching out here: ⁠https://jessknaus.blog/afterhoursauthors/⁠ Connect with Jess on Instagram or Threads: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jayk_creates/⁠ Check out Jess&...