The Rebel Author Podcast

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Advice for working full-time and trying to write Balancing caring duties and writing Boundaries, how to have them and hold them Mindset shifts This week’s question is: Do you struggle to make time for all the things in life? Recommendation of the week is: How to Fail by Elizabeth Day Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Find out...

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number three between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode three. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here. To find out more about Rachael, you can l...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What elements make urban fantasy Crafting the urban fantasy voice Marketing urban fantasy Urban fantasy tropes This week’s question is: how do you approach editing? Recommendation of the week is: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Links and events I mentioned are: Escape the Plo...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What NaNo is and how to participate The community of NaNo Tips and tricks for setting yourself up for NaNo Methods for keeping going NaNo Mindset This week’s question is: Have you ever done NaNo? or will you do NaNo this year? Recommendation of the week is: Darkest Night by Alessa Thorn Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Links I men...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The psychology of cozy mysteries Cozy tropes Mistakes to avoid  Craft advice for writing cozy mysteries Marketing for introverts This week’s question is: What would you like for Christmas? Recommendation of the week is: A Lair of Bones by Helen Scheuerer Apple   Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Find out more about Sara at: Author...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Mistakes to avoid when outlining or trying to write fast The 9 critical story beats  What to do when you veer off your outline The pillars of writing fast This week’s question is: What and when was the last bit of self care you did? Recommendation of the week is: A Glasgow Kiss by Sophie Gravia Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliat...

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number two between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode two. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here . To find out more about Rachael, you can list...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What makes a historical novel Craft tips for historical novels Research tips for historical novels  Writing about real historical people The line between fantasy and historical This week’s question is: what’s the best TV show or movie you’ve seen this year? Recommendation of the week is: Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim S Grover App...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Dozens of ideas for how to collaborate Ways to market your collaborative work Mistakes to avoid when collaborating Benefits of collaborating Why you should consider collaborating This week’s question is: would you ever collaborate and if so, in what way? Recommendation of the week is:  Send me YOUR recommendations for inspirational, business or mindset...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Can you pivot in 2022 and be successful? What are good reasons to pivot? What you need to research before pivoting Mistakes to avoid  How to build a new audience This week’s question is: what month or season are you most productive in? Recommendation of the week is: It Happened on Fifth Street by Robyn R Pearce (patron) Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this sho...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What makes a good thriller How to market thrillers How to create pace and tension The voice of thrillers How to build an audience for thrillers This week’s question is: What’s the best thriller you’ve ever read? Recommendation of the week is: The Anatomy of a Best Seller by ME! Reasons to Read The Anatomy of a Best Seller: If you want to understand wha...

Hello Rebels,   And welcome to a special episode. Going forward, Rachael Herron and I will be doing a bonus episode each month. Think of it as a fireside chat between two good friends and you get to eavesdrop on the gossip.   We’re calling these special episodes “The Black Herron”. Patrons will receive the episodes one month early. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from a...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to approach a series Setting up a character arcs Series writing for “pantsers” Making every book land with a punch Wrapping up a series early This week’s question is: what’s your favorite series? (either you’ve written or read) Recommendation of the week is: King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How the literary agency landscape has changed How indie authors can work with agents Mistakes authors make trying to work with agents How to stand out to an agent How essential brand and platform is for an agent This week’s question is: where was the last holiday you took or fun place you’ve been? A few highlights from holiday: Find out more about Luci...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The foundations of managing social media How to track social media progress What content should authors produce  How to create a social media strategy Social media mistakes to avoid This week’s question is: What has surprised you recently? Recommendation of the week is: How To Write A Successful Series: Writing Strategies For Authors Helen B. Scheuerer...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What TikTok is and how it’s different from the other social platforms Types of content for TikTok How to drive sales with TikTok Tips for content creation This week’s question is: Are you a TikToker? Recommendation of the week is: Malice by Heather Walter Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Find out more about AK on: TikTo...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Definitions of best seller How to look at comparisonitis differently Examples of deconstruction  The what, why and how of reading What to look for when deconstructing This week’s question is: What best seller will you deconstruct after listening to this episode? Recommendation of the week is: The Anatomy of a Best Seller Universal Link Buy Direct Apple...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Mistakes to avoid writing epic fantasy Marketing epic fantasy Trends in epic fantasy  How to keep readers engaged when you write really long books Epic fantasy tropes This week’s question is: Do you struggle to understand your genre or what the reader wants? Recommendation of the week is: The Anatomy of a Best Seller!  Find out more about Ryan at: Auth...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Understanding the readerscape Mistakes authors make with their first series How writers can weave marketing into their series How to cultivate fanbases Series 2.0 what it is and how to do it This week’s question is: What’s your poison of choice? Recommendation of the week is: A Serpent’s Tooth by Matty Dalrymple  Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What genres are better suited to being wide vs in KU Best methods for managing all the distributors How to grow your audience wide Different approaches for different platforms This week’s question is: what kind of research do you do for your books? Recommendation of the week is: My courses If you want to improve your sensory writing or create better vi...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Does skeleton drafting work for everyone? Skeleton draft mistakes to avoid An overview of the skeleton draft process What details go into a draft This week’s question is: Tell me something fun you have planned for the summer. Recommendation of the week is: The 12 Week Year by Brian P Moran Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate lin...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to approach a new genre How to market multiple genres How to research a new genre Voice across different genres Readers in different genres This week’s question is: Across your career, what genres would you like to write in? Recommendation of the week is: Lucky Bitch: A Guide for Exceptional Women to Create Outrageous Success by Denise Duffield Tho...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The most common mistakes authors make with beginnings What you need to establish in the first act and first chapter How to handle prologues and flashbacks Hooks How to know when you have the right beginning This week’s question is: It’s mid year. What one thing will you complete by the end of the year? Recommendation of the week is: The Fantastical Tra...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The five types of intuition How to stop crushing your intuition Putting plotting vs pantsing to bed Shutting out input/influence sources Mistakes to avoid This week’s question is: are you intuitive? Recommendation of the week is: Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Find out more ab...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The difference between active and non active settings How to make your settings more active How characters should engage with settings Mistakes to avoid with active settings How to hook your readers Find out more about Mary: Visit her website   Subscribe to her newsletter  Friend her on Facebook Tweet her @MaryBuckham