First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

I'm continuing my interview series with contributors to the UNDER A WINTER SKY holiday romantic fantasy anthology, talking with the fantabulous L. Penelope today. We discuss worldbuilding in novellas. You can find out more about Leslye here ( https://lpenelope.com/ ). You can  preorder UNDER A WINTER SKY here  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/under-a-winter-sky) . And Leslye's podcast, My Imag...

A shoutout today to Rebekah Weatherspoon on the release of IF THE BOOT FITS , a modern Cinderella tale set on a Black-owned luxury dude ranch. Otherwise I'm mostly squeeing about the Biden/Harris win :D More on Rebekah Weatherspoon and IF THE BOOT FITS here ( http://www.rebekahweatherspoon.com/books/ifthebootfits/ ). And here's the video of the podcast, if you want to see ( https://youtu...

How to know when to push on wordcount and when to back off - and how to push, if you do. Also a look ahead at upcoming interviews with L. Penelope, Melissa Marr, and Nalini Singh! You can read up on my Productivity Mastermind offerings here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/mastermind ). The interview with Kelley Armstrong is here ( https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2020/11/05/first-cup-of-coffee-november-5-...

I'm welcoming a special celebrity guest today, author Kelley Armstrong, and we're discussing her latest novel, her career, and her amazing Victorian Christmas novella contribution to UNDER A WINTER SKY. You can find out more about Kelley here ( http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/ ). You can  preorder UNDER A WINTER SKY here  ( https://jeffekennedy.com/under-a-winter-sky) . And her new novel,...

How #NaNoWriMo is most useful for writers and finding the rhythm that works for YOU. Also mulling on grammatical sins of self-publishing authors, place as a character, and the Rebecca remake. This is the blog post I reference on gradually increasing word count during #NaNoWriMo ( https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2018/11/01/increasing-word-count-and-training-for-nanowrimo-2/ ). The 2020 version of Reb...

Memories of Roxanne Conrad/Rachel Caine today. Also why it's okay to admit to down days - and even important to let people see the less shiny bits of our lives. And a bit on romance-author cliches in She-Devil. You can check out She-Devil here ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098309/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 ). And you can preorder Under a Winter Sky here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/under-a-winter-sky )...

Talking about how building new habits requires energy, because doing something without a habit requires decision energy. First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts! Support the show

A microphone death, my new hair and makeup regime, the schedule for upcoming interviews, and musings on how authors tend write toward a core image, trying over and over to get it "right." The video I mention on Cognitive Bias and The Dunning-Kruger Effect is here: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y50i1bI2uN4 ) First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more...

A bit more explanation today on why being told I deserve a success feels weird. Also thoughts on what the fantasy plot arc is - and isn't. Plus a reveal: I picked a name for Heirs of Magic #1! First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts! Support the show

Another roadrunner sighting and ambush foiled. I'm also musing on the concept of "deserving" success and why it can feel awkward when people tell us that. Also, thoughts on positive take-aways from this pandemic year. Here is The Word Detective article I read from http://word-detective.com/2011/07/deserve . First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more...

Musings on the push-pull of staying true to want you want to write vs. being aware of marketability of the work. A bit more on unlikable heroines and the challenges therein - and how these considerations fit into your goals as a writer. First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts! Support the show

Congrats to L. Penelope for Song of Blood & Stone appearing on Time's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time - and a shout-out to her podcast, My Imaginary Friends! Also thoughts on setting goals for your career as an author. Here the specific podcast of Leslye Penelope's I mention, where she talks about ambition ( https://lpenelope.com/2020/10/when-good-news-strikes-my-imaginary-friends...

Why the hair and makeup thing is such a barrier for me these days, the perils of vanity, and my uneasy relationship with time. Also thoughts on creativity, how reading isn't writing and how we feel in the moment is meaningless. The photo is a screenshot of some of my MANY video takes. First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscrib...

I'm talking about Guardian (or Goblin): the Lonely and Great God, the fantasy romance K-drama that Kelly Robson turned me onto. Also about good omens, new opportunities, and why I withdrew from World Fantasy Con programming. You can read up on Guardian (or Goblin): the Lonely and Great God ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5994364/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3 ) This is my WFC statement: In the interests o...

About being a morning person (or not) and why I write in the mornings. Also thoughts on keeping in contact with each other during these difficult times and not bean-counting in relationships. First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts! Support the show

Why I don't believe that FOMO is real - or that the feeling might be, but the actuality of missing out isn't - and other thoughts on Taoism, the flow of the universe and the nature of opportunity. Leslye's podcast I mention is here ( https://lpenelope.com/2020/10/building-fences-my-imaginary-friends-episode-89/ ) First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can fin...

Why being a sensitive person is a good thing - something I've only recently begun to appreciate - and how empathy and compassion makes us better writers, besides being something the world needs. If you're interested in reading my essay Of Swallows, Snakes, and Science in my book Wyoming Trucks, True Love and the Weather Channel, you can find it here ( https://jeffekennedy.com/wyoming-tru...

We're doing some exciting (for us) landscaping work. I'm also chatting about more egregious editing fouls and how self-publishing authors should be careful of predatory practices. First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts! Support the show

I'm discussing why authors should never be afraid of their agents and some tips on navigating business relationships in general. Also how I'm a little bit at loose ends today and not sure what to do! The article listing bookish podcasts is here ( https://booktrib.com/2020/10/08/10-bookish-podcasts-to-bring-fun-and-inspiration-in-this-screened-out-world/ ) ICYMI, the roadrunner story is h...

A story today for you about a roadrunner and how it blew our minds. Also I'm done with THE LONG NIGHT OF THE CRYSTALLINE MOON! I'm talking about next steps and upcoming events. You can find information on the Writing Date with me at ( https://events.sfwa.org/events/writing-date-with-jeffe-kennedy-quiet-writing-room /) Leslye's podcast is here ( https://lpenelope.com/2020/09/selling-...

A shoutout today to a brand new Cowboy Christmas romance collection. Also thoughts on The Boys, getting business done, and how Weekend Jeffe is not getting along with Weekday Jeffe and we may need mediation. You can find CHRISTMAS KISSES WITH MY COWBOY here ( https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781420148039/christmas-kisses-with-my-cowboy/ ). First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network....

I'm discussing destructive assumptions about romance, why I hate the term "transcending genre," and I'm telling a story getting our flu shots at the drive-in clinic and how brilliantly orchestrated it was. This is the blog post I mention ( https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2020/10/04/nitpicking-when-editing-goes-horribly-wrong/ ). First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast N...

A discussion of pitfalls in contracts related to release dates and making sure publishers don't sit on authors' work. Also, why I'm feeling hopeful and why we can look forward to a brighter future. This is the New Yorker article I mention ( https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-trump-tests-positive-for-the-coronavirus-and-a-nation-anticipates-chaos ). First Cup of Coffee i...

Some exciting news on THE FIERY CROWN and DARK WIZARD. Also a bit of discussion on how options work in book deals, and a discussion of the pros and cons of paying someone clean my house. First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts! Support the show

I'm ranting today about how writers should be paid for their work - and how there are so many people who skirt the edges of this by pretending to offer value in the form of promo, but it's still not paying. First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts! Support the show