First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

On the challenges of working from home and/or yourself - which is most creative careers - and finding the balance between imposing a disciplined schedule and also being kind to yourself and enjoying the flexibility. STRANGE FAMILIAR is live! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar   You can preorder MAGIC REBORN at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/magic-reborn RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and the...

It's release day for STRANGE FAMILIAR! Also, I'm back after an unplanned podcast hiatus after being struck with the flu like a nail through the forehead. Also, being a notable alum of my high school and people messaging to ask if my books are "clean." STRANGE FAMILIAR is live! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar   You can preorder MAGIC REBORN at https://www.jeffekenn...

I was going to say something pithy about the time-consuming tricks we do for social media, but you'll have to extract that lesson yourself from my tale. Owl Crate tip-ins are done! Also: why something being your livelihood isn't reason enough. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www...

Regarding manuscript length and (seriously) what traditional publishing does and does not require, but signs that a book is really too long. (See pacing.) Also knowing when rewriting is FAR better than revising, and new earrings! Vivian Shaw's jewelry shop BleedingHartStudio is here https://www.etsy.com/shop/bleedinghartstudio/?etsrc=sdt RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! htt...

On the Amazon Boycott and tools for not freaking out. Also, Kindle Unlimited, pros and cons, and thoughts on how that ecosystem works, including the perils of exclusivity. Also, my very productive productivity! RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar and MAGI...

How being a career creative is an ongoing process of discovering how we work and create, and why - if you're an intuitive writer like I am - you might need to write from a character's POV to understand them.  RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar...

Thoughts on story, character, agenda - what is the story trying to do? What do WE want to do as creators? Also, is using someone else's characters and world "cheating"? Does filing off the serial numbers transform a work? RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com...

Last day to sign up for my ARC team! Also, thoughts on success, the metrics we use, and strategies for determining what WE want from our writing careers and lives in general. The ARC Team signup form is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3qh21bQ8g02eg3z_sej824qOaytfm1RhVjUKVcFIvM3GnJA/viewform 🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉    Calling all fantasy romance lovers! I’m so excited to team up with...

I'm taking signups for my ARC team if you're interested. Also some analyses on books I've been reading and some advice for the newbie-r writers out there on not trying to do too much. Also, keeping secrets too long. The ARC Team signup form is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3qh21bQ8g02eg3z_sej824qOaytfm1RhVjUKVcFIvM3GnJA/viewform 🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉    Calling al...

On the exciting Murderbot adaptation news, less happy ACOTAR adaptation news, and why authors have to expect to give up creative control on these things. Also, why I switched projects and the importance of being honest with ourselves as creators so we can hear our intuition through the emotional jingle-jangle. 🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉    Calling all fantasy romance lovers! I’m so excited to team up w...

On professional jealousy (yes, it's real), that one guy who *has* to say something, and print runs in traditional publishing. What we do and don't know, the effect of print on demand, and other forms of black magic, smoke & mirrors. 🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉    Calling all fantasy romance lovers! I’m so excited to team up with @vowforgirls for the Happily Ever After Giveaway—because ever...

My VOW for Girls project - a special treat for you all. About the new book in my favorite series and how I miss the edge it once had. Also: endorsement quotes (or blurbs) - do they work? Does anyone care? I say YES. 🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉    Calling all fantasy romance lovers! I’m so excited to team up with @vowforgirls for the Happily Ever After Giveaway—because every girl deserves the chance to w...

Why I'm participating in VOW for Girls to stop child marriage, thoughts on donating (& why you don't have to), joy, best ways to build and refine craft, why I don't journal, and how I'm a Swiftie forever.  The VOW for Girls donation link is here: vowforgirls.org/jeffe-kennedy  Darynda Jones's Kickstarter is here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darynda/the-beep-and...

The RELUCTANT WIZARD audiobook is available wide! Preorder NEVER THE ROSES at B&N for 35% off today only! Also, my editorial meeting, participation in VOW for Girls, and the unbearable loudness of casita-building. Through today only, the B&N donation code for 35% off a print preorder is PREORDER25  The VOW for Girls donation link is here: vowforgirls.org/jeffe-kennedy  Darynda Jones's...

My weekend with Darynda and a report on her and thoughts on the joy of writing and living life the way we want to. Also a special FaRoFeb present! And listening to audiobooks at higher speeds - why is Audible against it? Everything FaRoFeb 2025 is here! https://farofeb.com/farofeb-2025/ Darynda Jones's Kickstarter is here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darynda/the-beep-and-osh-trilogy-e...

All about my Marketing & Publicity meeting with Tor/Bramble, my upcoming editorial meeting and how creative angst is just a fact of life and never goes away. Also, two more books/series out on submission and can I finish STRANGE FAMILIAR in time??? Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRAN...

Updates on NEVER THE ROSES and the challenges of making bonus content. Also, reflections on housework, the contempt for expertise in the home, and being taught and *learning* the best way to do something. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/stra...

I've been seeing the cyclical debates on "we need ratings for books like we have for movies!" so I'm doing a Brief History of Art and Censorship in the last 100 years, why movie ratings were developed, Communism, McCarthyism, and how housework was deliberately created to keep women at home. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://w...

Some fun updates, including NEVER THE ROSES in a list of Most Anticipated Romantasy Books of 2025. Also, wrestling the fears many of us have about today and what comes after, fractals, controlling what we can, and how we each can savor our one wild and precious life. The Paste Magazine article I mention is here https://www.pastemagazine.com/books/fantasy/most-anticipated-romantasy-books-of-2025 Ma...

I'm doing a deep dive into my thoughts and feelings on the allegations against Neil Gaiman and on parasocial relationships, the writing community, and associated implications. Also, hey! Good news on audiobooks and Spanish translations. Lila Shapiro's article on Neil Gaiman is here https://www.vulture.com/article/neil-gaiman-allegations-controversy-amanda-palmer-sandman-madoc.html The Pa...

On being a creative in a tech-driven culture and how tech has shaped how we deliver our art. Also, embracing our emotions as valid and valuable, needing certain conditions to work, and how all of this affects choosing titles. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www....

I'm talking about what it means to live in interesting times and how we grow the ability to handle disruptions in our lives, great and small. Also the importance of cultivating joy and making kindness louder. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy...

Thoughts on feeling traumatized that it's January 6th and what I've discovered about how art can help give us perspective. Also, a truly ASTONISHING discovery that has moved my productivity to a whole new level! A couple of the songs I mention: Self Evident by Ani DiFranco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6llS6uXz7k and Leningrad by Billy Joel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgD_-dRZPgs...

Showing off a few gifts-my Swiftie mug and a fabulous pen-and talking the art of gift-giving. Also thoughts on goal-setting, observing yourself like a scientist, tracking metrics, and the cover reveal of MAGIC REBORN! Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffeken...

This will be my last podcast...of 2024! I'm talking about a cool goal-setting trick, what I noticed about taking time off and aggressive well-refilling in general, feeling that creative impulse and looking to the year ahead. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://...