Pencils&Lipstick podcast

I'm super excited for you to listen to this interview (chat, really) that I had with Antonio Michael Downing. It isn't everyday that I get to have such a great conversation with a stranger! Check out more about Antonio and get his books here: https://www.antoniomichaeldowning.com/ Also, follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.orpheus.3/ or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/antoniom...

Is it possible to set goals as a writer? As a creative? When there are so many different variables that go into creating a story? In this episode I go into the reality of goal setting as a writer, especially one just starting out (with 4 books or less). I believe in going into the new year with eyes wide open, but also with encouragement. Let's get those books written in 2026! And not falling into...

Merry Christmas! Thank you for listening to Pencils&Lipstick this year! It's been an amazing one. And to finish it with a bang, I'm chatting with Viktoria Nikola about writing, social media (the pros and cons of it and being a writer) and so much more! You won't want to miss it! You can find out more about Viktoria on her website at: https://www.viktorianikola.com/ Follow her on TikTok at https://...

This week let's talk about the Muddy Middle. That moment when you hit about 40-45,000 words and then you lose ALL MOMENTUM. I have a solution for you. It'll take some work, but it will make your story move forward! Be sure to get on my mailing list for access to the 12 Days of Christmas! Sign up here ---> https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter Want more information on my books, author swaps, s...

This week I talk about the Big 5 Personalities and how we can use them to create depth in our characters. Grab the pdf here: https://katcaldwell.com/big-5 Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter Want more information on my...

Let's get into the micro of scenes and learn about the essentials you can look at when deciding which scenes stay in your book. Grab the cheatsheet here . https://katcaldwell.com/288 Get on my  writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter...

This week and next week we are going to review scenes. Today we'll be looking at the macro of scenes. What scenes are needed in genre fiction as well as what the difference is between Character Arc Scenes and Plot Scenes. Grab your free download here and let's go! https://katcaldwell.com/287 Get on my  writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are an...

Today is a writing tip day. I'll be doing more of these, which will be a bit shorter than the interview episodes. Let me know what topics you want to hear about by joining my newsletter and mailing me, going to katcaldwell.com and filling out the contact form or DM'ing me on Instagram or TikTok. Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are...

I have Nancy Christie back on the show to talk with us about selling our books in person. Nancy has had several dozen in person book events working with Barnes and Noble and other indie bookstores and she is FULL of advice for us today. I hope this encourages you to get out there and set up an author event! And when you do, please tag me on social media. I would love to see it! You can find out mo...

Today I'm speaking with Becky Grogan who is a marketing guru and a certified book coach who specializes in romance fiction. She has some great marketing tips today no matter what genre you write though, so keep listening! You can find more about Becky on her website: https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/ Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my worksho...

An Amazon Bestselling Author, Alex Apostol first started independently publishing her books in 2012. Her first series, Chronicles of a Supernatural Huntsman, has made the top 100 on Amazon’s list for Supernatural Thrillers, Myths & Mythology, and Folklore & Fairytales. Dead Soil has quickly been climbing the charts and become a fan favorite and continues to be her bestseller. Novel Notes was...

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage.   As a longtime Jane Auste...

This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void ( https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu ) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrcole.com/ My birthday treat for you this week---> The Stepping Series audiobooks for just $2 https://www.curios.com/c/WBKAXQ https://www.curios.com/c/V3EQ5Y NYC Midnight story challenges: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ ProWritingAid Novel November: ht...

This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void ( https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu ) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrcole.com/ My birthday treat for you this week---> The Stepping Series audiobooks for just $2 https://www.curios.com/c/WBKAXQ https://www.curios.com/c/V3EQ5Y NYC Midnight story challenges: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ ProWritingAid Novel November: ht...

Today I talk with Kevin Hall about all the things he had learned in marketing his books. He has put all of his ideas, what works and what doesn't, into a book just for indie authors. You can find out more about Kevin at http://www.kevin-hall.com Ines Johnson has a Kickstarted up for her Page Turner Planning. She describes it as a  guidebook , a  planning system , and a  course ...

Today I have a wonderful conversation with author RL Baxter. We talk about writing fantasy, writing for YA and adults, finding your path as an indie author, how Ricky Baxter got starter and where he is going. You should follow him and check out his books. Links below! https://rickybaxter.wordpress.com/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ricky-Baxter/author/B00QHCK5V https://www.facebook.com/rickyleebax...

Today we are talking to Plottr creator Cameron Sutter. Plottr has loads of  templates  that make crafting a satisfying ending for  any genre  so painless that you’ll want to tell all your friends about it. You can check it out here: https://katcaldwell.com/plottr You can also find out more about Story Snap here: https://katcaldwell.com/storysnap (These links are affiliate links...

Former journalist Nancy Hastings, the daughter of missionary parents, is the author of “Mission Possible.” Nancy’s 30 plus years of experience as a journalist and freelancer gives her the ability to make her characters shine. Nancy lives and works out of her home base of Lexington, IN and spends her summers hiking and camping with her husband, three children and two grandchildren. https://nlhastin...

Welcome back, everyone! It's the seventh season of Pencils&Lipstick! I want to take a moment to reflect on the summer, encourage you to keep writing (possibly look at thing a little differently), talk o you about audiobooks and remember that this is all a numbers game, so keep adding to your numbers! Links from the show: Spoken.press https://www.spoken.press/ Stepping Across the Desert on Spoken:...

Author and Stronger Girl Coffee founder Stacy Smith Rogers discovered the power of community in a unique story of entrepreneurship, grief and encouraging others to embrace their stories with strength, faith and boldness. Her former business, The Paddock Coffee + Eats + Gatherings, earned the 2021 Tourism Business of the Year award, just two years after opening in the midst of the pandemic and divo...

Joan Schoettler has surrounded herself with children’s literature, sharing it with her sons when they were young, inviting children she taught to step into the world of stories, and teaching children’s literature at California State University in Fresno. In addition to spending time with family and friends, she enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling. Joan lives with her husband in central C...

Hannah grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia but wound up in South Jersey after falling in love with her complete opposite. She's got all the degrees of a "serious" fiction writer but only smiles when she's writing romance. She lives with her husband and two daughters in a picturesque town outside of Philadelphia where she enjoys reading in all genres, especially the spicy ones, and conf...

Get signed up for the Book Sales School Summit here: https://katcaldwell.com/booksalessummit2025 If you're a fiction teacher or coach you might be interested in the Fiction Teachers Summit. Sign up here: https://katcaldwell.com/fiction-teachers-summit Rhonda Douglas is starting her Book Finishers Bootcamp July 18th. It's a ver good way to get ahead in your writing this summer: https://katcaldwell....

Page Turner Awards is an inclusive writing and book awards with one goal – to change the lives of as many writers as possible. The team at Page Turner Awards passionately believes that talented writers can be from any background, age, race, religion, or interest. To find out more and enter the awards go to   https://bit.ly/Kat-Caldwell-2025 If you decide to enter use the discount code: 2...

Want to read the book? Head here to buy from me: https://katcaldwell.com/books Head here for Amazon: https://katcaldwell.com/english-channel Want o make your own audiobooks? Go to https://spoken.press and use the code word PENCILS to make an account! Let me know what you think! @author_katcaldwell on Instagram and @katcaldwell.author on TikTok