The Merry Writer Podcast

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We're back with another mini writing challenge. We've all heard the advice about the importance of writing daily. So, we decided we would take 30 days and writing every day. In this episode, we cover: How we had thought it would go Discussing weeks 1-5 What we learnt from this challenge As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Recently, we discussed creating an author media kit. To go along with that, we thought it'd be a good idea to discuss book press releases. This week, we're talking about how to create one for your latest release. In this episode, we cover: What a book press release is Why you should have one What to include in your press release Where (and how) to share it As always, thanks for...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We are back to talking about Productivity as we look at ways to find more time to write. We could all use more time, right? So, today we are discussing the benefits of a Time Budget. In this episode, we cover: What a time budget is How long to track your time Tracking your energy The importance of rest time and wiggle room and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Every book needs a blurb or how else are readers going to know what it's about? The blurb helps a reader decide to open the book to its first page and possibly buy it. This week, we're talking about book blurbs and how to write one. In this episode, we cover: Blurb vs. synopsis What to include in your blurb What to possibly avoid in the blurb Ari reads an example blurb As always...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today, we welcome back author Andrew McDowell on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview.  Andrew appeared on our Podcast way back at the beginning for episode 023 back in 2020. In this episode, we cover: His writing processes and writing style His inspiration Marketing tactics and more! Click here to listen to his earlier episode A...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Habits are never easy to maintain. Building a writing habit is just as tough. This week, we go over some ideas on how to keep the writing consistency going. In this episode, we cover: Knowing the difference between progress and procrastination Having a plan Find a writing buddy or group Being flexible and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We have decided to do a few silly mini challenges, and we are starting with this one. One piece of (odd) advice that circulates the writing community every few years is the "miracle" of Comic Sans and how it can help you be motivated and get out of writer's block. So we decided to give it a try, and these are the results In this episode, we cover: Why are we doing this challenge...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES If you have a book published and want to get your name out there more, then having an author media kit is a great place to start. This week, we discuss what an author media kit, and how to put one together. In this episode, we cover: Media kit vs. press kit vs. press release Why having an author media kit is important What to include in your media kit How to present your media k...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today, we are joined by author, writing coach and manuscript editor, John DeDakis on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview. In this episode, we cover: His writing processes and writing style Common mistakes authors make Social media and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below,...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Yes, we're back talking about author websites again! This time, we're discussing plugins you can add to improve your author website and make it more unique and easier for you to maintain. In this episode, we cover: What plugins are and where you can get them Cost of plugins 6 useful plugins you can use List of Plugins Mentioned Classic Editor Duplicate Page Internal Link Juicer...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We did it, we finally took the plunge and recorded an episode about AI. Is it ranty? Yes. Do we tangent all over the place? Also yes. Is it painfully long? Yes. We do still open some of you, give it a listen. Also, if you are a published author and have not checked already, please visit the Atlantic Link below and check to see if your novels were pirated and then used to train A...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES AllAuthor is a platform that's well known by some, but others have never heard of it. Rachel checked it out and discussed her findings with Ari to see if it's really worth it for authors be on. This week, we dissect the free account version of AllAuthor. In this episode, we cover: What AllAuthor is and what you can do there Paid vs. free plan Featuring your book and more! As alw...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today, we are joined by Writer Jeremy Russell again. Last time Jeremy was on the podcast, he shared his insights regarding how writers with ADHD can stay motivated. Now he's back for our newly introduced interview style. In this episode, we cover: His writing processes and writing style Writing by hand Favourite character and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Writing one book takes multiple drafts throughout the process. Some of those drafts are easier than others, so this week’s we’re talking about the draft that usually hardest for us. In this episode, we cover: Rachel’s hardest draft to write Ari’s hardest draft to write Our easiest drafts As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, giv...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Need to raise funds to get your book off the ground? Have you considered using Kickstarter? Well, in today's episode, we are going to be discussing a few things you might want to think about before making that decision. What we cover: What is Kickstarter Why Kickstarter Audience Size Expenses Extras Money-to-work ratio Track your campaign As always, thanks for listening. Please...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES There are many difficult parts to writing and sometimes that includes coming up with a title for your book. It sounds simple, but it’s not always. This week, we’re sharing ideas to come up with great titles for your books. In this episode, we cover: The purpose of a book title Thinking about genre Thinking about the book’s main theme and more! As always, thanks for listening. Pl...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today, we are joined by Author Amanda Blake for our newly introduced interview style. In this episode, we cover: Their processes and writing style What their favourite things to write are Publishing journey and 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! ABOUT AMANDA A mass of te...

We're celebrating FIVE YEARS of The Merry Writer Podcast! Crazy, right? We asked what you guys wanted to see for our fifth-year anniversary and you chose for us to talk about all the things we've learned from podcasting in these five years. In this episode, we discuss: How podcasting is a part-time job The importance of consistency and knowing our equipment Working well with your co-hosts Networki...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Join us on the podcast today, as we discuss things we wish we were better at as writers. And stick around for the random tangents we seem to find ourselves drifting into. :) 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? If you would like to be considered,...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We all know what research is, but how often do you go out into the world and get the experience your characters get? Hands-on research is great, which is why we’re discussing it this week. In this episode, we cover: What hands-on research is Taking classes Interviewing people Train/study the profession yourself and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your t...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES A well-made book cover is (in our opinion) the single most important marketing tool for your book. So what do you need to think about when getting a cover created? That's what we are breaking down in today's episode. Things we cover: - What to include in a brief (for the designer) - Research - Target audience - Titles & author-name - Pre-made covers RESOURCE - 99Designs As a...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Welcome to the first official guest episode of 2025! This week, Ari and Rachel invite Dr. MH Pelletier to a show to discuss her work on her book, The Resilience Plan. In this episode, we cover: What inspired MH to write this book What her writing process was like Researching for books and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments bel...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES If you are planning to be an indie author, you may very well want to send out ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) but what are some of the risks with these? In this episode, we cover: Piracy Non-completion Methods to combat these Link regarding Stephanie Meyer's leaked manuscript As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES As an author, about how many tasks do you do for one book? How much do you do in a week? In a day? This week, we’re talking about how authors aren’t just “writers.” We’re much more than that. In this episode, we cover: The act of writing Learning and improving Marketing Business As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the pod...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today we are talking about Author's Insurance... which some of you may not even realise is actually a thing (yup, it is!) and all that goes along with it. In this episode we cover: - Why you might need it - What insurance can protect against - Risks to fiction and non-fiction writers - Commerical licenses - A quick note about traditional publishing As always, thanks for listenin...