The Merry Writer Podcast

EPISODE SHOW NOTES There's only so much we can do when it comes to promotion and marketing our books. Word of mouth is great, but it's also good if people find your book organically. How do they do this? By you tagging your book with the right keywords. This week, we discuss what book keywords are and how you can match good ones to your novel. In this episode, we cover: Types of keywords Keywords...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, we’re getting to know Claris Lam, author and poet, who writes in a multitude of genres. In this episode, we cover: Why she chose to write in multiple genres Insights into her poetry Where she draws inspiration from and much more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content! A...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today is National Podcast Day! Since we've hosted a podcast for so long and we're authors ourselves, we thought it'd be fun to discuss the benefits of podcasting for authors. In this episode, we cover: Benefits of being a guest Benefits of hosting your own show Building relationships & networking Ari's old interview We couldn't find Rachel's old interview, unfortunately. But...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES ARCs, also known as Advanced Reader Copies, are super important for any author, but especially indie authors. We've discussed sending ARCs as an author before, but what about being an ARC reader? This week, we discuss how you can help support indie authors by being an ARC reader for them, and how to be a good one. In this episode, we cover: ARCs vs. Beta reading Author requireme...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We've talked a lot on the show about how being an author is the equivalent of running a business. Depending on your publishing goals, you're running a business as an author. This week, we discuss various business models you can aim for to make a living with your writing. In this episode, we cover: Rights and licensing models Publisher model Creator model and more! Further Readin...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Being an author isn't all puppies and rainbows or kittens and cakes! There are some great parts, and some hard parts and we have to ride the rollercoaster through it all! So, today we talk about a few things you can do to prepare or cope with the ups and downs of author life. As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcas...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, we’re getting to know Krista Walsh. Krista is a fantasy author who explores writing relatable characters in romantasy, urban fantasy, and epic fantasy quests. In this episode, we cover: Krista's writing routine Tips for selling books at events Tips for selling books direct and much more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We started this episode in good faith, talking about research... kinda... then we fell down a rabbit hole. Kudos to everyone who actually managed to get to the end! We hope you enjoyed... something :) As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content! WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW? We’re ope...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES A long, long time ago, on episode 78 of the show, we discussed content you can share with your email subscribers. It's been a while, and things have changed. So, this week we're updating our thoughts with content ideas you can share with your email list. In this episode, we cover: How to involve your subscribers Sharing aesthetics of your WIP Quick interactive ideas and more! As...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today's episode is a little silly, as we discuss how important it is for writers to suffer in order to write well - however, please note we do touch on topics of death and loss.  As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content! WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW? We’re open to Author Interviews...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, we’re getting to know Amy L. Bernstein. Amy is a multi-genre author who’s been writing for decades. She’s written a wide range of mediums from poetry and short stories to fiction and nonfiction. Amy’s most recent release, Tent City, is a contemporary dystopian family saga. In this episode, we cover: Amy's writing routine How Amy began writing in many forms Self-doubt...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES What does it take to get your readers to cry? How can we make the connection that buries so deep within them, that they are moved to tears. That's what we are discussing today! In this episode, we cover: Quiet spaces Relatability For big... go small and more As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and sh...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We interpreted this question in two ways, so this episode is like a two-for-one! This week, we discuss how you find your genre that best suits your writing voice and how to market your genre. In this episode, we cover: Your author's niche Your book's genre Subgenres and keywords As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the pod...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, we welcome back onto the podcast, author Liz Shipton. Liz joined us last year to discuss her book Dot Slash Magic and she's back with us to talk about her new female-rage-fueled fantasy satire, Mother & Slaughter. In this episode, we cover: About her characters Themes in her book Running kickstarters and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know yo...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Whether you write in multiple genres, different mediums, or post your work in various places: how do you retain your readers? This week, we discuss how you can potentially keep your readers reading no matter what you write. But the answer isn't as simple as you'd hope. In this episode, we cover: What retaining your readers means Figuring out your focus and ideal audience Researc...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Join us in welcoming a new guest to the show: author Danielle Harrington! Danielle is a fantasy author who writes The Wells of Power series. Book one, Keyholder, is available now. This week, we learn the ins and outs her writing. In this episode, we cover: Danielle's work-life balance How she got into writing fantasy Advice for writing plot twists and more! As always, thanks for...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Sometimes we take a break from writing and it's not intentional. Other times, it is. Regardless of why you took a break or for how long that break was, it can be difficult getting back to writing after a hiatus. This week, we discuss how to jump back into writing without burning yourself out right away. In this episode, we cover: What a writing hiatus is Rachel's tips Ari's tips...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES In today's episode we are discussing what things we were willing and happy to spend money on to help our writing life!  In this episode, we cover: Editor Scrivener Courses Cover artist As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content! WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW? We’re open to Author Inte...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We all know what writing prompts are, but what about writing exercises? If you want to improve your craft, writing exercises are a great way to do so. This week, we discuss what writing exercises are and the differences between them and prompts. In this episode, we cover: Writing exercises vs. writing prompts Examples of writing exercises Why they're important As always, thanks...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Please help us welcome another author to the show, Adina Chiles! Adina is a YA Fantasy author who’s a creator and collector of fictional worlds. Her book, Secrets of a Rose, is the first title in the Royal Blood series, and is available now. In this episode, we cover: Adina's work in the YA fantasy genre How she got her literary agent Her writing routine and more! As always, tha...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES It's 2026, which means everything is online. It's important to promote your book on and offline, but one great way to get many eyes on your book is to run a virtual book blog tour. How does one do that? Well, that's what we're discussing this week. In this episode, we cover: What a book blog tour is What set up entails (and how long) Finding participants and working with them As...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Writing can be a lonely business and there's a lot to learn when you want to become a published author. Having connections to people who understand what it's like and building communities can be really useful. So today we are talking about networking and how to do it (according to us!) :) In this episode, we cover: What is networking (according to us) Why networking can be impor...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES A few episodes ago, we touched upon book launch roadmaps. It was then we realized that we had never discussed a roadmap on the show before, so here we are. Just what is a book launch roadmap and what does it entail? This week, we discuss how to use a roadmap to streamline your self-publishing journey. In this episode, we cover: What a book launch roadmap is Why it's important Ho...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, we’re getting to know author Jill Haymaker. Jill is a contemporary western romance author with several short stories published. She writes the Montana Pines series, which currently has eight books available now. In this episode, we cover: Jill's writing inspiration Marketing tactics Her self-publishing journey and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us k...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES A crucial part of prepping your book for publication to ensuring it prints correctly and looks great without any errors. To check that, you need to order an author proof. This week, we discuss how to give your author proof a thorough look over to make sure it's 110% ready for publication. In this episode, we cover: What an author proof is Draft2Digital vs IngramSpark vs Amazon K...