Ask The Author with Jodi Gibson

This week I'm chatting to bestselling Australian author Sandie Docker who writes women's fiction novels all about love, loss, family and small country towns. Sandie's latest novel is The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir (and is possibly her best yet!). It's always fun chatting to Sandie and today she's answering three questions which I'm sure everyone will get value from.  You can find out more about Sa...

Are you ready to query agents and/or publishers? Then you'll want to know what my favourite three must-dos are. Pitching and querying is both exciting and nerve-wracking but by doing these three things you're setting yourself and your manuscript up for success.  ------- Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes can be found at  www.jfgibs...

This week I have a terrific question that both indie authors and even trad authors will find helpful. It's all about how to get advanced reader copies of your book out to book reviewers. Where do you find book reviewers? How do you reach out to them and get them to review your book? When should you ask them? How many should you ask? All these questions will be answered in this week's episode, so I...

This week I have a nice quick episode for you all about why you should think of social media as your coffee shop. Stick with me here, it does make sense. You'll have to listen in to find out why. And don't forget to let me know your thoughts and if this resonates with you. Available now wherever you source your podcasts. Happy listening.   ---- Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so...

This week I'm chatting to romance author and editor, Joanne Speirs. Jo's debut novel Second Chance Love in Point Perry was runner up in the prestigious Romance Writers of Australia Valerie Parv award in 2019 as well as being longlisted for the Emerald Award in 2020. Jo's second book, Light Up My Heart: A Point Perry Christmas is the follow up novella and will be published in July 2024.  Jo is alwa...

How do you balance your work and writing life? Is it possible? What is balance anyway? And do we need to stop striving for balance in our lives?  This episode is for anyone who has ever wished they could find more balance in their writing lives - and even in life in general.  Jodi delves into her own version of work/life/writing balance and also gets personal on what she hopes the next phase of he...

Should you edit as you write? Yes or no? This week Jodi answers this commonly asked question in particular reference to when you're writing your first draft. So if you've ever wondered why you should or shouldn't, listen up!   Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes can be found at www.jfgibson.com.au   And if you have a burning questio...

What can you do to improve your writing? Great question from a listener this week, because everyone wants to improve their writing, don't they? Listen up for Jodi's 6 favourite things you can do to make you a better writer.  A list of the writing craft books mentioned in this epiosde can be found at    Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show...

Always wanted to write a book but don't know where to start? Then this episode is for you. Jodi offers her advice on how to sit down and start writing your very first novel. You have to start somewhere and it can be daunting staring at the blinking cursor on your blank page. But with these suggestions you could be well on your way to getting those words down.    Don't forget to like and subscribe...

This week you're in for a treat with my next guest author. Ali Lowe is a Sydney based journalist and author of domestic suspense fiction and she's answering three of the most common questions I get here on the podcast. The real theme of this week is perserverence. It really does pay off.  You can find more about Ali and her books at  https://www.aliloweauthor.com/   Ali's latest book THE SCHOOL RU...

If you're in a creative slump this one's for you. Pop in those earbuds and listen as I share my tips on how to refill your creatiave well.    Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes can be found at www.jfgibson.com.au   And if you have a burning questions you'd like answered, please email through my contact form on my website above, or...

Do you need a logline for your novel? I thought they were just for movies.  Typically they are, but they are also very helpful for books too. This week Jodi explains why writing a logline not only helps you with your elevator pitch and hook, but also makes sure your story clearly contains all the major elements required for a page-turning story.  PS. You might need a pen and paper to take notes! -...

If you've ever found yourself comparing yourself to other writers and their success, then you need to listen to this episode. How do you stop playing the comparison game? Why do we do it in the first place? Shouldn't we just be happy for them? All this and more is covered on this week's episode.   Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes...

This week Australian author of psychological thrillers, Kelli Hawkins is in the hot seat answering three listener questions covering topics such as how to write a compelling first line and chapter, how to build readership and also her favourite part of the writing process. I might have also thrown in a cheeky question of my own too! You can find Kelli at https://kellihawkins.com.au/   And Kelli's...

I feel like this week's episode is for every writer out there. If you've ever felt like your words are wasted, listen up! (Teaser: they're not). In answering this question I'll talk about my own experiences with 'wasted words', and offer a few suggestions on what to do before you decide to put aside a manuscript.    Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.  ...

In this week's episode I'm breaking down what things you'll need to include when you're ready to pitch to agents or publishers. So if you're working towards a trad publishing deal and getting prepared to pitch, this is a must listen!   Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes can be found at www.jfgibson.com.au   And if you have a questi...

How do authors make money? Great question! Royalties, advances, lending rights... so much to unpack but I'm keeping it simple in the hope to bring some clarity to an often confusing topic. Podcast episode info   Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes can be found at www.jfgibson.com.au   And if you have a burning questions you'd like a...

This week I welcome our second guest author for 2024, debut novelist Liz Foster. Liz's contemporary fiction novel 'The Good Woman's Guide to Making Better Choices' is out now and is a terrific read.  Liz joins me to today to tackle three common questions from listeners including: How to know when your manuscript is ready for submission. What the editing process is like.  And, Liz also offers her a...

This week's question is one that took me quite a bit of thinking before answering and I'm not even sure if I answered it well. But it's a great question. What is the number one thing I've learned about myself as a person since being published? Listen to find out!   Podcast episode info   Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes can be fo...

This week I'm offering an author advice on navigating publication day with particular regards to social media. Release day, especially when it's your debut novel is such a mix of emotions, but there's a few things you can do to make most of the lead up to and the actual day.  Podcast episode info   Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show note...

This week's question is all about how to set and keep deadlines.    Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.   Detailed show notes can be found at www.jfgibson.com.au   And if you have a burning questions you'd like answered, please email through my contact form on my website above, or reach out on Instagram where you'll find me @jfgibsonwriter   You can also...

In this week's episode I have my very first guest author for 2024. Kylie Orr is an Australian author of dark and twisty contemporary fiction with two novels under her belt. Kylie is going to answer three questions from listeners and give a different perspective on all things writing and publishing.   You can find Kylie on her website https://www.kylieorr.com/   or follow her on Instagram www.insta...

This week instead of answering a writerly question, I'm furthering a conversation sparked from the last point of last week's episode. Last week I mentioned that I would do things a little differently with my next release. Whereas I always set out to be an indie author, I set out to do things exaclty the way a trad publisher or trad author would do things. But, I've learned, it doesn't always work...

This is a cracker of a question and one that I almost wasn't going to answer and record because hindsight is always a wonderful thing. But I have. So what would I do differently if I were starting out all over again in writing and publishing? You'll have to listen to find out!  Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.  And if you're loving this podcast I'd love it if you co...