Wish I'd Known Then Podcast For Writers

325 / Can a slow writer find success in the current market? We dive into that listener question today and also share a summer catch-up after our June break.  Hear about Jami’s book launch and what she wishes she’d known about launching wide and in a new genre. We also answer listener questions about slow release strategies, writing without burnout, and content ideas to share in your newsletters.  ...

324 / This week we’re sharing Jami’s discussion with Joanna on The Creative Penn Podcast about rebuilding your writing business after a break. ✨ This week’s sponsor is Bookfunnel: https://bookfunnel.com Waiting to publish and business planning Impact of personal loss and grief Writing through and about grief Decision to fictionalize real experiences Balancing therapy and storytelling in writing C...

323 / Jami and I are on a summer break, so we’re sharing guest episodes we did on other podcasts. This week, it’s my discussion with Matty on the From Expertise to Authority podcast.  💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes Shoutout on a future episode...

322 / Jami and Sara are on a summer break, so we’re sharing guest episodes we did on other podcasts. This week, it’s our discussion with Richie on the Fantasy Writers Toolshed podcast. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes Shoutout on a future episode...

321 / Sara and I are on a summer break, so we’re sharing guest episodes we did on other podcasts. This week, it’s my discussion with Doug and Nick on the Two Authors’ Podcast 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes Shoutout on a future episode 📥 Send u...

320 / Jami and I are on a summer break, so we’re sharing guest episodes we did on other podcasts. This week, it’s my discussion with Joanna on The Creative Penn Podcast about low-key marketing.  💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes Shoutout on a futu...

319 / What marketing strategies are working for authors right now? Ferol from Written Word Media shares the lessons he’s learned helping authors succeed, the mistakes to avoid, and actionable advice for building your own writing business. Transitioning from the music industry to serving indie authors What sets successful long-term indie authors apart Common marketing mistakes authors make Trends i...

318 / How do you craft a pitch that gets Hollywood's attention and translates your book to the screen—or just want to network and pitch yourself more effectively as an author? Story coach Lindsay Hughes shares insider strategies from the entertainment industry and lessons from Hollywood. Lindsey’s "cocktail pitch" formula that grabs attention How to talk about your story in a way th...

317 /  Debut author Michelle Park Lazette shares how she’s building a brand along with the lessons she’s learned about writing, marketing, and connecting with readers as a debut author. Building buzz for your book Starting a newsletter list and finding ARC readers Head hopping and point of view issues Challenges with interiority and emotion Using analytics for book promotion ✨ May Pod-Pal Shout-O...

316 / What does it take to trust your intuition as a writer—and how can you find true joy in the crazy unpredictability of publishing? Amy Robinson shares her path from medical editor to romance novelist  and the power of mental rest for authors. ✨ May Pod-Pal Shout-Out: Two Authors’ Podcast - Wheel of Life with Adrienne Giordano Trusting your intuition instead of following all the writing “rules...

315 / How can authors find their reader community on Substack while balancing life’s big changes? Jolie Tunnell shares her transition from years of blogging and waiting for permission to publish to indie success and serializing mysteries. ✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish Balancing writing with life changes Waiting for gatekeepers vs. giving yourself permission Using Subs...

314 / Tee Harlowe, a fantasy romance author, shares tips for successful Kickstarters as well as how she’s adapting to market shifts and why diversification is key to surviving income drops.  ✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish Rapid release publishing strategies Instagram tips for authors Fallacies in assumptions about genre size equating to sales   Challenges with Kickstar...

313 / How do you balance the demands of a full-time job with launching a romance writing career? Finley Daniels shares her lessons learned in writing and marketing. ✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish Balancing writing with a full-time job Challenges in marketing and ads Importance of book titles and tropes Building an email newsletter Finding editors and cover designers Su...

312 / What are the creative lies writers tell themselves, and how can reframing your mindset lead to a long-lasting, resilient writing career? Katherine Collette shares her insights and lessons from both podcasting and publication. ✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish Why resilience matters more than talent or craft The pitfalls of tying self-worth to external validation Ref...

311 / Think you need to be on every platform, spend big on ads, or release a book every month to succeed as an indie author? We’re busting some of the most common publishing myths.  ✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish But first, we catch up on life after a writing retreat: the post-draft crash, newsletter plate-spinning, and the genuine weirdness of evaluating promos when t...

310 / AI is getting better at producing words, audio, and even video, which raises the question for authors: how do readers know there’s a real person behind the book? In this episode, we talk about how writers can stand out in a sea of AI content through leaning harder into trust, voice, and real connection. We share concrete ways to signal “I’m a real person” without forcing yourself to overshar...

309 / Lona McCombie, social media marketer for authors, unpacks essential strategies for authors looking to promote their work, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. ✨ This week’s sponsor is: Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templates Starting out in social media marketing Promo strategies for book releases Best practices for TikTok marketing Cross-posti...

308 / Serial fiction expert, Kimboo York, joins us to discuss building long-term reader relationships, letting go of perfectionism and fan fiction, including insights on transitioning fan fiction to original works. We also talk about balancing productivity with kindness and allowing room for mistakes to set yourself up to have a resilient author career.  ✨ This week’s sponsor is: Reedsy https://r...

307 / How can automation, AI, and genuine relationships help you thrive as an author? Chelle Honaker shares her insights on blending creativity and business, building community, and navigating the ever-changing publishing world. ✨ This week’s sponsor is: Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templates Flywheel marketing instead of funnel marketing Building community and c...

306 / How do you get your first reviews? And what do you do about collating feedback from multiple beta readers? Evan Gow, creator of StoryOrigin, has solutions to these author problems. Plus we explore why building your mailing list is the number-one way to connect with readers and future-proof your business as well as discussing direct sales options and the perennial topic of AI impact on publis...

305 / Ember Mae shares lessons learned about starting small with crowdfunding as well as managing fulfillment. We also talk about marketing without succumbing to the pressure of conventional social media wisdom. ✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish Tips on setting up your first Kickstarter campaign and keeping it manageable Making marketing personal and connecting individual...

304 / Are you curious how understanding grammar—not just as a set of rules but as a tool for creative expression—can transform your writing and help you find your unique author voice? ✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish We talked with Patty McGee, a literary consultant and author of Not Your Granny’s Grammar to unpack why grammar isn’t about memorizing rules, but about deve...

303 / Are you curious about how to find your writing voice, handle feedback without losing your vision, and thrive in today’s ever-changing publishing world? Nicole Meier shares what she wishes she’d known as both an author and developmental editor, plus key insights for writers at every stage.  ✨ This week’s corporate sponsor: http://tryvellum.com/wish When to seek feedback and the stages of edi...

302 / We’re talking about the power of tropes in storytelling with Jennifer Hilt, uncovering why elements like scars, secrets, and shame drive compelling mysteries and thrillers—and how they show up in every genre.   Jennifer shared insights from her Trope Thesaurus series, and both guests revealed how understanding and leveraging tropes isn’t just a writing shortcut—it’s a way to deepen character...

301 / In this 301st episode, hear from listeners (thanks for the voicemails!) about their favorite topics and takeaways and another long-time supporter, Belinda Kroll joins us. Belinda is a cozy fantasy romance author and illustrator, and shares how she's streamlining her business to lean fully into her artisan side. Shifting from serial to artisan-focused publishing  Leveraging Kickstarter a...