The Florida Writer Podcast

What is ChatGPT? How is Artificial Intelligence changing the way authors approach writing? Are you curious about how AI works or how it might affect the writing world? In this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with Florida Writers Association Marketing chair and Board Member Ginnye Cubel about how technology impacts writing and the business of writing.  Ginnye Lynn Cubel is a writer...

Master flash fiction to add another layer to your novel writing. Florida Writer Podcast guest Tara Masih and host Alison Nissen talk about how flash fiction requires authors to choose their words wisely, ultimately helping you get the scenes right. Tara Lynn Masih is a National Jewish Book Award Finalist and winner of the Julia Ward Howe Award for Young Readers for her debut historical novel My Re...

Paranormal researcher and investigator John Russell talks with host Alison Nissen about his foray into nonfiction writing and how we can all use our muse to keep our (nonfiction) writing entertaining.  John Russell is a Psychic/Psychic Reader, a Medium, a Certified T.A.R.O.T. Master, a Paranormal Investigator, and now a published Author. Internationally known, he has provided psychic readings for...

Host Alison Nissen had the opportunity to ask, what's a Florida Western to 6x author Lee Gramling. When she thinks of Westerns, she thinks cowboys in hats, barfights, and cacti come to mind. The Florida Western has all that, but it's set in sunny Florida! Lee Gramling is a sixth-generation Floridian who grew up hearing tales of the Florida frontier from his parents and grandparents.  While living...

Keeping track of plotlines, timelines, characters, and the thousand other things authors balance while writing a manuscript does need to be chaiotic. It needs a system. In this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with Mark Shaiken about how he syncs his ideas morning, noon, and night (including 2:00AM!). Mark Shaiken retired from his law practice in 2019 and authored: "And . . .Just L...

Florida Writer Podcast host Alison Nissen chats with historical mystery author DL Havlin about how he leads his audience on a journey with breadcrumbs to create his plot--beginning with the ending and working backward.  DL Havlin is an unretired businessman who has traveled a large portion of the world, having visited over 100 countries. In his travels, he has discovered that humans have very simi...

Former marketer turned memoirist Julie Ryan McGue suggests fine-tuning your marketing plan with curiosity, book club connections, and immersing yourself with your niche audience on this Florida Writer Podcast with host Alison Nissen .  JULIE RYAN Mc GUE  is an American writer. Her award-winning memoir,  Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging   released in May 2021. It is ab...

In this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with forensic psychologist Phyllis Kuehnl-Walters , PhD who uses her vast knowledge of the courtroom to explore difficult characters in her true crime series about People Who Kill. Phyllis. Once a Christian devotional author, Phyllis switched genres as the result of a case she was on as an expert witness; a story she has since wanted to tell...

In this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with Armand Rosamilia about shifting his dead-end job to a dream job out of necessity. The pulp fiction author broke free from genre labels and followed his heart as a full-time author. He's now free to focus on writing good stories with good characters immersed in interesting plotlines that engage the audience. Many of his stories begin on...

Diana McDonough and Florida Writer Podcast host Alison Nissen chat about the value of a good editor and the challenges of writing non-fiction when it hits close to home. Diana McDonough is an award-winning novelist and Maryland native. She is a Ft. Myers snowbird. Diana's first novel, Stuck in the Onesies, grew out of her experiences living outside the nation's capital in the Maryland suburbs back...

One of the most common issues writers have is not having a clear vision of their ideal reader. Instead of thinking about an "avatar," focus on the hearts and minds of your audience, not the color of their eyes or where they went to high school. In this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen and AJ Harper chat about how to serve your audience. A book is not about something; it's for someone.  A...

Readers don't want generic and tired, and neither do literary agents. In this Florida Writers Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with Allen O'Shea Literary Agent co-founder Marilyn Allen about having a great client-agent relationship, seducing readers with the X-factor, and developing fresh content from old ideas.  Marilyn Allen is a literary agent and founding partner in the Allen O'Shea Literary...

Imagine being a girl coming of age after the death of a dictator and the rise of democracy. In her recently debuted memoir, Promenade of Desire: A Barcelona Memoir, Isidra Mencos takes her audience on a treasure hunt as she searches for the quiet, descriptive, lyrical words to describe her extraordinary journey during a time of cultural self-discovery in Barcelona, Spain.  Enjoy this Florida Write...

Recovering art gallery owner Linda   Moore used her love of art to write her debut novel, Attribution which features an art historian who finds a hidden masterpiece. Host Alison Nissen and Linda chat about travel, the world of art, and the complexity of creating book covers with artwork.  Linda Moore studied art history at the Prado while a student at the University of Madrid and earned degrees fr...

Eliot Kleinberg shares how to help the audience love your writing by eliminating unnecessary words. As a former journalist turned blogger and novelist, his experience with the world of words gives us insight into how to make something sound better with host Alison Nissen . Kleinberg, born in South Florida, spent nearly a half century in daily journalism before retiring in December 2020 after 33-1/...

Sherri Winston may have had a degree in journalism, but it was when she joined a writers group that helped her transition to full-time Middle-Grade Fiction author. Hear Sherri's inspiring story in this Florida Writer Podcast with host Alison Nissen .  Sherri Winston is the author of President of the Whole Fifth Grade, as well as my latest book, Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution, which was long-l...

So you want to earn money as a writer? Don't ignore the newspaper industry. In this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with newspaper veteran Nafari Morris about pitching to newspaper editors. Newspapers have changed, but they still need great content.  Nafari recommends that you: send a well-edited introduction mention your experience with the topic/subject have a willingness to be...

The world of publishing is confusing! Listen to this conversation between the Florida Writer Podcast host Alison Nissen and the owner of Orange Blossom Publishing Arielle Haughee who breaks down her process from the submissions through publication.  Arielle Haughee (Hoy) is a six-time RPLA-winning author and the owner of Orange Blossom Publishing. She is an editor, speaker, and writing coach, and...

Take a cue from soap operas and reality television and "Tune in Tomorrow." Inspired by her career as a soap opera critic, Randee Dawn flips the script and puts mythical creatures in charge of the soap opera industry. Enjoy this conversation with host Alison Nissen and Randee as they chat about the value of cliffhangers, writing funny, and the importance of offering effective criticism.  Randee Daw...

Things have to come together for the universe to allow a project to bloom. Jaimie Engle stopped by The Florida Writer Podcast to discuss her multi-genre success with film, television, novels, and comics. In this Conversation, host Alison Nissen and Jaimie chat about how to be productive while you are waiting for your projects to be optioned.  In 2021, Jaimie made a tough decision to end her journe...

In this Florida Writer Podcast episode, Gail Ghai and host Alison Nissen dive into how families provide inspiration for our literary words. Families are the first relationships we develop, they have always been a rich source for stories, vignettes and poems. Gail Ghai  is author of three poetry chapbooks and has earned a Pushcart nomination and Henry C. Frick scholarship for creative teaching. Her...

If Quintin Tarrintino reimagined Calamity Jane, you'd have JD Jordan's acclaimed Sci-Fi Western Calamity . Enjoy this Florida Writer Podcast as host Alison Nissen asks JD where his ideas come from, what type of research he needed for his novel, and how his own experiences influence his work.    JD Jordan is the award-winning author of the acclaimed scifi-western novel, Calamity: Being an Account o...

Would it spell the end of the world as we know it if all of Yellowstone blows? In this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with Sci-Fi and Memoirist Kim Conrey about Yellowstone, living with HARM OCD, and the pre-sale of her newest book, Stealing Ares.  Kim Conrey is the author of the sci-fi romance Stealing Ares , Book One in the  Ares Ascending series. Kim also writes a blog about l...

Do you dream of quitting your day job and writing full-time? You don't need to live in a dark place with only a candle for light and a mouse for a friend. In this episode of the Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with Alyssa Berthiaume , who discovered she could earn a living writing! Listen to Alyssa's journey from frustrated creative to published author and discover some of the nut...

Are you thinking about self-publishing but don't want to do it alone? Best-Selling Amazon author Dr. Emee Vida Estacio decided to turn her winning strategies into a book launching, heart-centered, online community. In this Florida Writer Podcast, Emee shares with host Alison Nissen how to build a launch team, best practices for creating a self-published audiobook, and much more. And check out Pagu...