Authors Talking Bookish

SUMMARY: Today we are interviewing two publicists, Michelle Glogovac, THE Podcast MatchmakerTM and Lilian Sue, publicist and author, to help you leverage a successful career through public relations. SHOW NOTES: Journey into public relations Specializing in storytelling and relationship-building Unique approach to PR Overcoming fears, imposter syndrome, etc. Establishing your Unique self Key miles...

SUMMARY: Join us in conversation with Libby McNamee, author of award-winning upper middle grade novels including "Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War" and "Dolley Madison and the War of 1812: America’s First Lady," and their Study Guides. She is also the co-editor of "The Epic Story of 1776" and "The Epic Story of America 1777-1779." Currently she is writing a third nov...

Summary: Are you interested in writing a book but don’t quite know where to begin? This episode delves into the beginning stages of writing a novel. From brainstorming, to research, character creation and world building, we’ll discuss the process to set a good foundation for the novel you always dreamed of writing. Show Notes: How to begin? Character, world, plot, title, a question… How to explore...

Summary: A recent article by author Rea Frey, “Protecting Author Privacy: The Cost of Marketing Your Own Books,” Writer's Digest, touches on the challenges of today’s authors and why the question “So what kind of writer do you want to be?” is fundamental for all writers. In this episode, we’ll discuss the article, our own take on some of the key points and discuss how to set goals, priorities and...

SUMMARY: Have you ever wondered if or how a writer reads differently than a reader? Join us on this episode as we discuss passive versus active reading. What are writers paying attention to when they read as compared to what most readers don’t even notice? Learn how you can use reading as a school for writers. SHOW NOTES: What writers say vs. what they do Reading as a reader (passive reading): cha...

Being an author is more than just putting words on a page—it's about bringing your story to life for the world to discover. It's about stepping into the spotlight and sharing your passion with readers far and wide. One of the most thrilling and effective ways to promote your work and connect with your audience is by attending live events. In this episode, we’ll share with you all of your tips for...

Authors set out to write a book. They often don’t realize the bookkeeping and budgeting aspect of becoming a published author. In this episode, we’ll talk about establishing a budget, what to regard as high priority vs. low priority and how the publishing path you choose should figure into your budget. Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode....

Join us as we chat with award-winning author Maggie Smith, known for her books "Truth and Other Lies" and "Blind Spot." Drawing on her psychology and business background, Maggie crafts stories of resilient women facing extraordinary challenges. She also hosts the "Hear Us Roar" podcast and manages The Write City Magazine . Tune in for insights into her writing and inspirations. SHOW NOTES: Bio: In...

In 2022, Publisher’s Marketplace announced its decision to retire the term “Women’s Fiction” as a genre because they “aim not to presume or define a book’s audience, or categorize books, by gender.” In this episode, we’ll take a look at the effects of their decision, its implications and the status of “Women’s Fiction” as a genre today. SHOW NOTES: Women’s Fiction Writers Association definition of...

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...