First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

A very special episode of First Cup of Coffee, in which I wish my wonderful mother the very happiest of birthdays and many happy returns! GREY MAGIC is now available!  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/grey-magic ) The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-294201&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_294201_rh_us ) and you c...

By request, I'm discussing how I manage writing multiple series at a time. This includes time management, project management, how I focus on only one thing at a time and includes a couple of cautionary tales. GREY MAGIC is now available!  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/grey-magic ) The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?source_code=AUDFP...

My review of Cyrano (at the end, with spoilers), whether Game of Thrones and Vikings shows have anything in common. Also shining brightly and whether there's anything wrong with that. GREY MAGIC is now available!  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/grey-magic ) The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-2942...

Why I missed podcasting yesterday and how I'm finally catching up on things like corporeal maintenance. Also why I want to wave my magic wand and get everyone to distinguish PRE-plotting from plotting. GREY MAGIC is now available!  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/grey-magic ) The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?source_code=AUDFPWS02231...

Why trad-pubbed books are released on Tuesdays, and other thoughts on hallmarks of success like hitting bestseller lists or being nominated for awards-how they're only lens onto a multifaceted career. GREY MAGIC is now available!  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/grey-magic ) The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?source_code=AUDFPWS022318...

GREY MAGIC is out today!!! I'm burbling about that and also discussing voice - what it is, how do you "find" and refine it. A bit about Juliet Marillier's beautiful writing and how what I write is same but different. GREY MAGIC is now available!  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/grey-magic ) The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQ...

A bit of a rant about Certain People getting upset about female marines in science fiction, or females in combat altogether, regardless of tech. Also fraudulent reviews on Amazon and news on that front. The article on Amazon suing fraudulent review sites is here ( https://www.thepassivevoice.com/amazon-sues-fake-review-brokers-who-attempt-to-profit-from-generating-misleading-and-fraudulent-reviews...

GREY MAGIC is done and going to upload! It will be out on Monday, February 28!! Otherwise, I'm talking about my travels, including travails, and other catching up. Love how bird wings on snow look like alien claw marks. You can preorder GREY MAGIC here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/grey-magic ). The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?so...

I'm on the penultimate, penultimate scene of GREY MAGIC and I have serious book brain, but I'm talking about the joys of being a fulltime writer, epiphanies, and scrambled eggs. Also, I got my orchid to rebloom! Upcoming panel: The Cross-Genre Author Experience! and you can get your free tickets here ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/highgarden-entertainment-presents-a-farofeb-author-panel-...

I'm sharing a really lovely email I got complimenting DARK WIZARD, and sharing how I'm able to write as fast as I do while maintaining high quality, (hint: speed and quality are unrelated!) with discussion of the creative subconscious. Upcoming panel: The Cross-Genre Author Experience! and you can get your free tickets here ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/highgarden-entertainment-presents...

Lots going on today - #FaRoFeb and my #Read4Pixels AMA on @Reddit_Fantasy. Otherwise I'm talking about friendships, along with some fascinating research that shows we change up every 7 years. Check out FaRoFeb here ( https://farofeb.com/ ). The r/fantasy reddit AMA for The Pixel Project is here ( https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/st4xm6/im_jeffe_kennedy_author_of_romantic_fantasy_and/...

About author branding and how I think working the KU algorithm is disrupting that to the detriment of authors. Also, progress on GREY MAGIC, spring comes to northern New Mexico, and the saga of suet. Upcoming panel: The Cross-Genre Author Experience! and you can get your free tickets here ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/highgarden-entertainment-presents-a-farofeb-author-panel-tickets-258695183257 )...

How writing takes up mental bandwidth, because we're creating the story even when we're not actually writing, trying to compartmentalize, the trick to delegating, and thoughts on writing in the body vs the head. Upcoming panel: The Cross-Genre Author Experience! and you can get your free tickets here ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/highgarden-entertainment-presents-a-farofeb-author-panel-...

I'm discussing my revision process today - what I look for, the benefits of having some distance from drafting, and the delicate balance between preventing yourself from endlessly retooling and knowing when you have to edit. Upcoming panel: The Cross-Genre Author Experience! and you can get your free tickets here ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/highgarden-entertainment-presents-a-farofeb-autho...

On the challenges of retellings, why stories are like floating globes to me, how I'm loving Intisar Khanani's THORN, and how I tapped out on PERSUASION. (Is it just me???). Also dealing with the charm of recent composition. Intisar Khanani's THORN is here ( https://booksbyintisar.com/books/thorn/ ). And, for comparison, my HEART'S BLOOD is here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/hearts...

A report on my weekend, the cleaning of the Closet of Doom and reflecting on how 2.5 years without conventions has changed my perspective. Also a bit on intermittent fasting (CW) and this bizarre New Yorker article my aunt sent me. The New Yorker article I mention is here ( https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/01/is-amazon-changing-the-novel-everything-and-less ). Upcoming panel: The Cross-G...

Trying to apply lessons in fight scenes and creating tension from my study of Leviathan Wakes vs. the screenwriting in The Expanse. Also discussion of midpoints, climactic scenes, and poking at the difficult sections. I'm teaching a workshop this weekend: "Crossing the Streams Isn't Bad: A Workshop on Writing Cross-Genre Fiction." Saturday, February 5, 2022, 3pm-4:30 MT. Beastl...

How the adaptation of Leviathan Wakes to screen in The Expanse is a great lesson in tightening story and increasing conflict and tension. Also updates on a free workshop and my various projects. I'm teaching a workshop this weekend: "Crossing the Streams Isn't Bad: A Workshop on Writing Cross-Genre Fiction." Saturday, February 5, 2022, 3pm-4:30 MT. Beastly Books in Santa Fe, NM...

I'm trying a transcript! (And not editing it. Okay, I made two edits, but it spelled my name wrong...) I'm also musing about creativity, how that can be measured (and NOT), and a possible trend in movie endings. I'm teaching a workshop this weekend: "Crossing the Streams Isn't Bad: A Workshop on Writing Cross-Genre Fiction." Saturday, February 5, 2022, 3pm-4:30 MT. Be...

A blooper-filled Monday podcast today, but I do offer some coherent thoughts on why "send your best work" is one of the two pieces of advice I hate most. Also, what's needed to make a living from your writing.  The workshop I mention is "Crossing the Streams Isn't Bad: A Workshop on Writing Cross-Genre Fiction." Saturday, February 5, 2022, 3pm-4:30 MT. Beastly Books i...

I forgot to mention I'm doing a workshop at Beastly Books in Santa Fe on Feb. 5! What I do talk about is one-hit wonders, what they are and what success and failure do and don't mean.  See the attached pic for details on my workshop. It's "Crossing the Streams Isn't Bad: A Workshop on Writing Cross-Genre Fiction." Saturday, February 5, 2022, 3pm-4:30 MT. Beastly Books...

Observing my own process and how tweaking the variables has enabled me to increase my productivity this week! I'm discussing what factors I've identified as most important for best productive creativity. The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-294201&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_294201_rh_us ) and...

The DARK WIZARD audiobook is out! More on what readers bring to a book, thorny female leads, ageism,  subjectivity and anecdotal evidence vs. empirical data and how I'm not actually slowing down, it turns out. The audiobook of DARK WIZARD is here ( https://www.audible.com/pd/Dark-Wizard-Audiobook/B09QQRHTYZ?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-294201&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_294201_rh_us ) an...

Thoughts on Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood as a memoir (and autobiographical novel), and what makes memoirs work - or not work! Also a report on my mini-break, GREY MAGIC, and writing speed. You can order FIRE OF THE FROST here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/fire-of-the-frost ) and DARK WIZARD here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/dark-wizard ). You can preorder GREY MAGIC here ( https://jeffekennedy.com...

More on Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood and why some books and films hold up where others don't. Also reflections on my old day job, how memories work, and why treating assistants well is a key courtesy. You can order FIRE OF THE FROST here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/fire-of-the-frost ) and DARK WIZARD here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/dark-wizard ). You can preorder GREY MAGIC here ( https:/...