The Rebel Author Podcast

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to start building a magic system How and why you need to limit your magic system Common magic building mistakes Diversity in magic systems  How to make a magic system integral to the plot and characters This week’s question is: what is your favorite magic system? Links and events I mentioned are: Order a signed copy of Side Characters (or any other...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Mistakes to avoid when running an author event What small details set an event apart from others How to make author events into a revenue stream How to pitch speakers What considerations do you need to make What kind of person do you need to be to run author events This week’s question is: What are the best author events you’ve been to (digital or in-p...

Episode Show Notes:  In this episode we cover:  The overarching steps indies need to take to publish their book Most common indie publishing mistakes MVP launches versus bells and whistles launches The self-publishing cycle How to work with a writing coach This week’s question is: what part of self-publishing do you enjoy the most? Recommendation of the week is: 8 Steps to Side Characters: How to...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Methods and tactics for selling on Apple Mistakes on Apple Using preorders on Apple What it’s like to have your book turned into a film How to write better sexy scenes This week’s question is: what is your focus for the last half of 2021? Recommendation of the week is: Writing and Marketing Systems by Elana Johnson Apple Kobo Amazon UK   Amazon USA **T...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How publishing schedules will help you reach your goals Common mistakes authors make trying to reach six figures Tactics for finding readers Measuring marketing campaigns Pen names This week’s question is: what was the last realisation you had? Recommendation of the week is: The Giver by Lois Lowry  Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***This podcast uses...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The minimum viable requirements for an author website Common mistakes authors make on websites  What SEO is and why authors need to be aware of it Website content This week’s question is: have you got an author website and how did you find the process of setting it up? Recommendation of the week is: My own Senses course    Links I mentioned are: The Re...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What memoir is What memoir story structure is Where the line between your truth, factual truth and story truth sits How to use fairytales to help you write your memoir How to include moments we’re not proud of authentically This week’s question is: what would you call your memoir if you ever wrote one? Recommendation of the week is: Effortless: Make it...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The different types of edits and what you can expect from them The most common myths about editing and editors Editors and author voice  How to know if an editor is good How to deal with, process and work with editorial feedback This week’s question is: How do you process your editorial notes? Recommendation of the week is: A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P....

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to create character voices Behavioural consistency vs character arcs Creating better dialogue  How to create and use character detail How to write about identity authentically This week’s question is: We’re almost halfway through the year, are you where you want to be? Recommendation of the week is:  The Self-Publishing Blueprint: A complete guide...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why mindset is so important The most common mindset roadblocks Tools and techniques for helping you improve your mindset How to keep your starting energy going to help you finish your book Mindset myths This week’s question is: What aspect of mindset do you struggle with most? Recommendation of the week is: The World of LORE: Dreadful Places by Aaron M...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The differences between writing a novel and a graphic novel How to actually write a graphic novel How to choreograph a fight scene with an illustrator How story arcs work across a single graphic novel and a series How to find and work with an illustrator Mistakes to avoid This week’s question is: Do you read graphic novels? If so, what are your recomme...

It feels like a blink since the original post “ lessons from one year of writing full-time ”. But it is with ENORMOUS pride, a slight maniacal cackle and a deep sigh of caffeine-fuelled relief that I get to say this is 5 lessons from two years of writing full-time.   5 Lessons from Two Years of Writing Full-Time    Lesson 1: The Income Update In my first year, my only goal was to survive. I was de...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What are the key elements you need to take into account when starting from zero Most common indie publishing mistakes new writers make What business and platform basics do you need in place before you publish What marketing should a writer do when they only have one book How do you continue to get sales after launch? This week’s question is: What worri...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why we still struggle with time management despite there being so many tools out there Mistakes people make with time management Time management mindset shifts How to deal with your inbox The Pyramid of Time Mastery This week’s question is: What are your personal time management tips? Recommendation of the week is: Taking the Short Tack by Matty Dalrym...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What creative self-publishing means What are success measures for indie authors How to harness the thing that’s uniquely you Mistakes to avoid with publishing contracts This week’s question is: What is your success measure? Recommendation of the week is: The Liar’s Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA **This podcast uses af...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to create rich and memorable characters How to develop chilling atmospheres How to use the senses in your writing How to introduce your characters in the most impactful way possible How to create deeper emotions in your stories This week’s question is:  What’s the last book you absolutely couldn’t put down? Recommendation of the week is: House of H...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What is storybrand? How writers can incorporate storybrand into their marketing Mistakes people make with storybrand The key elements of storybrand including a worked example How to incorporate storybrand into your side hustles This week’s question is:  Are you wide or in KU and why? Recommendation of the week is: Wide for the Win by Mark Lefebvre  Kob...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Kobo’s new audiobook platform How to publish audio with Kobo How to price your audiobook What’s hot and what’s not in audio right now Marketing tactics that work for Kobo right now This week’s question is:  What are your Q2 goals? Recommendation of the week is: How to Make a Living with Your Writing by Joanna Penn Kobo **This podcast uses affiliate lin...

Get your copy of Mark's book Wide for the Win which is PACKED full of tips and tricks for marketing your books wide here: https://books2read.com/b/wideforthewin Find out more about Mark on his website: http://markleslie.ca/ Join the Rebel Author Facebook community here for more live events and writing support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelauthors/  

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why whopping bits of paper are awesome for plotting The biggest mistakes writers make with plot How to use details to enhance your plot Tips and tricks for the middle of your book How to keep your motivation going when you’re in the trenches of writing This week’s question is:  Do you plot or pants or plants? Recommendation of the week is: The House in...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Whether it’s still possible to make a career in 2021 Core business principles a writer needs The mindset shifts a writer needs to make in order to turn their writing into a business Other ways a writer can make money with their words? Tips for running an author business This week’s question is:  What do you find most difficult about the business side o...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What the heroine’s journey is Common mistakes with the heroine’s journey The key beats of the heroine’s journey The role of side characters in the heroine’s journey Genre and reader expectations for heroine/hero’s journey. This week’s question is:  Do you write the heroine or hero’s journey? Recommendation of the week is: Your Press Release is Breaking...

Surprise... I’m super excited to announce the launch of The Rebel Diaries Anthology. The call for stories is officially open. For all the submission criteria and information please visit sachablack.co.uk/rebelsubmissions   What happens when the villain wins? Sick of dashing debonairs? Fed up of being blinded by shining armor? Sometimes, all a girl wants is a villain for a hero. The Rebel Diaries i...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why you need to write a business plan The main components of an author business plan What to include and what not to include in your plan Mistakes to avoid with your business plan How to improve your money mindset This week’s question is:  Do you have an author business plan? Recommendation of the week is: Your Author Business Plan by Joanna Penn Kobo...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why swearing is good for you The gender difference between men and women and swearing Regional swearing and what this means for characterisation  Why swearing helps you manage pain How swearing works in different areas of the brain This week’s question is:  what is your favorite swear word? Recommendation of the week is: The Heroine’s Journey by Gail C...