Authors Talking Bookish

One year ago, Hope and Donna sought to embark on a journey to bring a writing, publishing, and marketing podcast to writers. The goal was to address the many learning opportunities brought about through their journeys as debut authors. This mission was to teach aspiring writers about everything they learned the hard way to clear a path for success for other writers. Join Hope and Donna as they loo...

In this episode, we explore the essentials of building a successful author website, covering key elements like design and content, as well as practical tools and tips to enhance your online presence. Tune in to learn how to establish your credibility, connect with readers, and effectively market your books through a professional and engaging website. SHOWNOTES: Importance of an Author Website Doma...

Leslie A. Rasmussen is the award-winning author of the novel, After Happily Ever After and The Stories We Cannot Tell . She was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA. She went on to write television comedies for Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Roseanne Barr, Norm McDonald, Drew Carey, as well as The Wild Thornberrys and Sweet Valley High. After leaving the business to raise her boy...

You’ve heard it said that a first draft anyone writes is a story they tell themselves. Seldom, if ever, is the first draft ready for any reader’s eyes, especially not an agent or publisher. So, how do you get a draft ready to be read by anyone besides the writer? This is where editing and revision comes in. This episode addresses various stages and techniques for piecing your manuscript into a coh...

Join us as we interview Jill Hannah Anderson, author of four novels: A Life Unraveled, Crazy Little Town Called Love, and The To-Hell-And-Back Club and, her most recent, Closer to Home released in March. Jill shares her journey to publication, discusses the differences between writing and publishing each of her novels, research and her experience as a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Associat...

When your manuscript is polished and your beta readers have given you the green light, the next step in the process is the query letter which is essentially a cover letter to agents and publishers in order to land a publishing contract. What should it include and where do you begin? This episode will share our best advice for attracting the right agent and/or publisher for your book. For Show Note...

Join us as we interview Lainey Cameron, author of multi award-winning & best selling The Exit Strategy , creator and host of The Best of Women’s Fiction Podcast, book marketing coach, member of WFWA and nomad author exploring the world. SHOW NOTES: Welcome How did you get into the business of writing? You are so well-traveled, living as a nomad, having been to 50+ countries, yet you say writin...

This episode addresses the importance of book marketing beyond the launch. In it, Hope and Donna will share various methods through diverse platforms to market your book and tips to make them successful. SHOW NOTES: Traditional Book Signings Major retailers Indie Bookstores Local Events  Businesses Organizations Libraries Schools Newspapers and magazines Collaborations With other authors Blog...

What is Character Development?  Characters are at the core of every story. This episode dives deep into how to create characters that will jump off the page. From types of characters to creating backstory, conflict and arc, you’ll learn how to create dynamic characters to anchor the plot of your next story.   The 3 Ms of Character Setup by C.S. Lakin Mindset Motivation Mood “Everything w...

SUMMARY: Join us as we interview Grace Sammon, accomplished author, editor and radio show host. We talk about the many hats she wears in the publishing industry and the lessons she learned the hard way. SHOW NOTES: Welcome What is the one question you think writers should ask themselves when embarking on the writer’s journey? How does one prepare for the success of a book? What advice would you gi...

SUMMARY: We listen to them, we appear on them, and some of us create them: Podcasts, 2024. How can your writing career benefit from them? In this episode, we’ll explore some of our favorite writing podcasts, how to become a guest on them and a behind-the-scenes look at our own podcast creation journey. SHOW NOTES: Some of our favorite podcasts to listen to, as writers: The Storytellers, host Grace...

Donna and Hope take a look at some of the top industry newsworthy topics of 2023 and make some predictions for the upcoming year. The recap includes Tik Tok fame, cancel culture, book banning, ghostwriting and AI. SHOW NOTES: The articles referenced are taken from Lit Hubs “The 10 Biggest Literary Stories of the Year: At Least 2023 is Over Now” The CoHo Obsession and Tik Tok Fame Cancel Culture Co...

Whether you’ve signed a publishing contract or are self-publishing, you need a launch plan. From author brand to gaining an audience, to release day and beyond, we’ve tracked our own journeys in order to provide you with a realistic timeline to follow for your own launch. SHOW NOTES: Your launch plan might look different based on how you are publishing your book: Big 5 Small Press Self-publishing...

When an author/writer writes a book, they invest not just their time and effort but a piece of their soul. Their hearts. They pour their thoughts, emotions, and creativity into the pages, and when that book is finally out in the world, it becomes vulnerable to the opinion of readers. And this is where book reviews come into play. They serve as the bridge between the book and its readers, helping p...

Is writer’s block a real phenomenon? Or is it a story you tell yourself when you aren’t writing? In this episode, we’ll discuss our thoughts and experiences surrounding writer’s block, what others say, and provide you with some tips to keep the words flowing. SHOW NOTES:According the the New York Times article “How to Beat Writer’s Block,” by Maria Konnikova,psychologists deem it a real phenomenon...

You’ve heard the old adage: Show NOT Tell. Is it true? What are the benefits to showing not telling in writing and when it is appropriate to tell? We’ll provide insight into the differences between showing vs. telling and advice regarding when one is most appropriate. SHOW NOTES: Showing - when a writer slows down a scene to provide clues as to action and concrete description Telling - providing e...

Have you heard the terms plotter and panster? What about a planster? They refer to the level or lack thereof of planning that goes into storytelling before the story is told. We’ll talk about the characteristics and benefits of each, so that you may determine your organizational style in your approach to writing a novel. SHOW NOTES: Plotter - someone who outlines their work fully before any writin...

Have you ever considered designating a dedicated writing space in your life? Whether it’s a tranquil corner adorned with books and soft lighting, a bustling café fostering an ambiance of creative energy, or a minimalist desk that evokes focus, your environment can affect your creativity and productivity. SHOW NOTES: Famous Author’s Writing Spaces ‘A woman must have money and a room of her own if s...

In a sea full of social media platforms, how do you choose the right one for you? Once you choose a platform, how do you establish a community? Join us in an overview of the major social media platforms as we reveal our best social media navigation tips. And as a bonus, we’ll address how to maintain a healthy “writing/life” balance while you are juggling social media marketing. SHOW NOTES:The Powe...

Have you heard the term “brand”? As an author, you’ll need one. This episode addresses what a brand is, what you need to think about to develop one and steps to take to create an author brand that is unique to you. SHOW NOTES:How is the brand of an author defined? Aesthetics Message Aesthetics: What is the “look” you want to achieve to represent your essence? Color scheme Fonts Logo Symbols Headsh...

So, you have a complete first draft of a novel. Congratulations, first of all, you’ve written a novel; that is an accomplishment unto itself. Now what? Is it ready for publication? Probably not yet. This episode addresses next steps after you complete that first draft. SHOW NOTES:You need eyes on your work for unbiased feedback. What are some options? Writing group Critique partners Content editor...

When you want to write a book but don’t know where to begin, there are some exercises you can do to discover what is and what is not in your wheelhouse. Let’s face it, writing a book is a commitment. You need to write a topic that will sustain your interest (and ultimately your readers) for 70K + words. This episode addresses how to get started, from idea to draft. SHOW NOTES:How do you conceive o...

Long before you write the words “THE END”, know the next steps for your book’s future. How does a book get published in 2023? Hope and Donna discuss the various ways in getting your book into the hands of the reading public. From traditional, small press, hybrid and self-publishing, they will share the benefits and the drawbacks of each and will give helpful tips to navigate some of the pitfalls....

How do you know when you’re an author? What’s the difference between a writer and an author? Hope and Donna discuss their paths to becoming authors and what makes them experts in addressing the many steps and skills necessary from being a writer to becoming published. Writer life The jump from writer life to publication Author acronym soup WIP MS MC CP Alpha/beta readers Our expertise on what we l...