Wish I'd Known Then Podcast For Writers

Episode 100 / 🎉 It’s our 100th episode and we’re celebrating with a look behind the scenes. Join us as we talk all things podcasting with Alexa Larberg and Adriel Wiggins, who make sure the podcast goes out each week. If you’re thinking of starting a podcast, you’ll find this episode full of useful tips. We also pick their brains for tips on working with a team and how to stay organized. Show not...

Episode 099 / Romance author Ines Johnson joins us this week. So much goodness in this episode. We cover everything from coupling your financial goals to your happiness, the upside of trying and failing, and tips on organizing metadata as well as your writing schedule.  Show notes: How the music of her dad’s funk band helped Ines learn about story Ines mindset shift that involved coupling monetary...

Episode 098 / In this post-Thanksgiving show we walk through our writing and publishing process, delving into the tools we use from software to dictation apps.  We also chat about our favorite craft books, then we wrap up with some tips for keeping everything organized.  QOTW: What organizational tips do you have for writing and publishing? Show notes:  Jami’s Cyber Monday consulting sale: contact...

Episode 097 / Romance author Theodora Taylor, author of 7 Figure Fiction: How to Use Universal Fantasy to Sell Your Books to Anyone, joins us this week. She shares her top tips for new authors and she breaks down the universal fantasies of four movies: Beauty and The Beast, Knives Out, Notting Hill, and Crazy Rich Asians .  Show notes: Why your writing career is progressive and it’s important to n...

Episode 096 / Troy Lambert, author, editor, freelance writer, and lead educator for Plottr joins us this week. We had a wide-ranging conversation including what he’s learned from interviewing authors who use Plottr. Troy also gives some out of the box tips for getting your books in bookstores. Intro links:  Jami’s talk, What I Wish I’d Known about Indie Publishing , at 20Books Vegas conference 202...

Episode 095 / Cozy mystery and historical fiction author Heather Day Gilbert joins us to talk about the challenges of moving from a traditionally published author to an indie author. We touch on the mindset shifts she had to go through, and she gives us an overview of how she launched a successful indie cozy mystery series. Plus we delve into one of her lessons-learned that involves a snake. :)  S...

Episode 094 / Romantic comedy author Tru Taylor shares how she stays positive and how she successfully launched a new pen name in 2021. QOTW: How do you stay positive? Do you use affirmations, meditation, or something else? Show notes: Tru’s shift from new reporter to author The books that helped Tru develop her writing craft and understand how to plot a book: Save the Cat and My Story Can Beat Up...

Episode 093 / Paranormal cozy author Lynn Morrison joins us this week for the second installment of our New Author series. We talk to Lynn about her first series that was five years in the making. QOTW: How did you find your cover artist and editor? Links mentioned in the intro: FreeThesauras.com Apple Books Promotion Tips Show notes: How Lynn shifted from writing a parenting blog to writing ficti...

Episode 092 / We kick off our New Author series with cozy mystery Victoria Tait, who began writing in 2019. She published her first book wide in 2020. She now has several books out in that series and is starting a new series. Show notes: How wrote her first book, including the resources she used to learn the craft of writing Her marketing plan for launching her book and series Why she’s focusing o...

Episode 091 / Romantic comedy author Adriana Locke shares how she maintains balance in her life, shares some great tips on branding, and tells us how trauma in her life helped her make a big mindset shift. Intro notes:  The Creative Penn podcast about using mystery in all genres Six Figure Author podcast with Mark Leslie Lefebvre about his new book with Joanna Penn, The Relaxed Author Sara will be...

Episode 090 / Steamy rom com author Kayley Loring joins us today to talk about how she went from writing screenplays to writing novels.  Intro link:  Historical Mystery Day   Show notes: How Kayley got into screenwriting in Hollywood Kayley’s “under the radar” marketing plan of writing several books before focusing on marketing The power of series when it comes to marketing Why responding to reade...

Episode 089 / Science fiction, fantasy, and horror author Angeline Trevena joins us today to talk about worldbuilding and being a discovery writer. Intro links:  Jami Albright free book Historical Mystery Day   Show notes:  The value of a university degree in writing versus the value of experience when it comes to novel writing The pros and cons of not writing specific tropes How Angeline came to...

Episode 088 /  In this podcast we chat with dark urban fantasy author H.B. Lyne, who also writes nonfiction for authors as Holly Lyne, including Goal Setting for Writers . Additionally, she co-hosts the Unstoppable Authors podcast. Intro links: Behind the Book podcast interview with Jami Albright Historical Mystery Day - Sept 29th Question of the week: How far in the future do you plan for your wr...

Episode 087 / Pricing expert Sally Farrant joins us this week to discuss how authors can find the best price point for their books plus so much more. It was a great interview with lots of tips and ideas for authors. In this podcast you’ll discover:  The relationship between confidence and pricing Common pricing myths  Sally’s suggestions for “big ticket” products authors can create that have a hig...

Episode 086 / In this podcast with historical mystery author Jane Steen you’ll discover:  Why Jane feels that a permafree book is still a good marketing tactic Her mindset shift from being a writer to the publisher How she’s found success with her slow-and-steady production schedule Details on her cover rebrand for the House of Closed Door series and how it’s helping new readers discover her books...

Episode 085 / Becca Syme from the Better Faster Academy joins us to talk about the impact of the pandemic on our writing lives and give us some coping strategies. In this podcast you’ll discover:  How the extensive time of dealing with trauma and stress from the pandemic is impacting us What energy pennies are and how traveling to “pandemic land” produces a currency exchange that reduces their val...

Episode 084 / Thomas  Umstattd Jr., CEO of Author Media, joins us today to talk about mistakes authors make with social media and how to avoid them. We delve into the world of ubiquity and scarcity and discuss how to use scarcity to sell your books. He’s also got some great ideas on how to find and get to know your readers. We wrap up by talking about trends in publishing in general and in the Ins...

Episode 083 / Nicholas Erik shares tips on branding and discusses how to use your backlist for long term success. We also talk about the importance of testing when it comes to ads as well as productivity and the power of focus.  Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group ! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com . Links:  Nicholas Erik Website The Big L...

Episode 082 / How do you take a germ of an idea and shape it into a full-length novel? It’s not a clean-cut process, and it changes with each book, but we share what we wish we’d known about developing story ideas as well as series ideas. And also we discuss the joys of sticky notes. :) QOTW: Do you link your series books? Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group ! You can...

Episode 081 / Romance and cozy author Tricia O’Malley shares how she designed her perfect day and then created a writing lifestyle that gave her freedom and flexibility. Plus: Tricia tells us how a stolen dog launched her writing career The importance of backmatter and the unique thing Tricia did with her backmatter that has engaged her readers How Tricia intentionally incorporated her passion int...

Episode 080 / The romantic comedy writing team of Max Malone shares how they’ve collaborated and produced over thirty five books as discovery writers.  We also talk about the importance of building your newsletter, how to assess negative reviews, and why the quantity of books is critical to long-term success, and being genuine.  QOTW: Have you ever considered co-writing? Come over and say hi to Ja...

Episode 079 / Cozy mystery author H.Y. Hanna joins us today to tell us about how she learned to tweak her premise so that her series idea fit the market. Hsin-Yi shares about dealing with expectations--both familial and personal--when it came to a writing career and how she’s learning to create her own definition of success. We also talk about how to deal with your internal editor when you’re draf...

Episode 078 / Lee Strauss tells us how she found her genre sweet spot in historical mystery. This episode is full of great craft tips including:  -creating character attachment -the importance of series -writing spin-offs We also talk about Lee’s innovative marketing and promotion ideas, including using a journal as a reader magnet and using short stories in your publication schedule. Come over an...

Episode 077 / Genevieve Jack, paranormal romance, fantasy, and urban fantasy author, shares how writing and releasing three to four books a year has created a sustainable career. We also cover branding, writing series arcs as well as book arcs, and tips for going wide.  Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group ! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com...

Episode 076 / Contemporary romance author Debra Clopton joins us this week to talk about how she came through a health scare and how her business was set up to run without her. Deb’s story is inspiring (get the tissues ready!) and also gives practical ways to set up business systems for author-preneurs.   We also discuss the importance of preserving your voice in edits, how Debra used paid newslet...