Wish I'd Known Then Podcast For Writers

300 / In this 300th episode, we take a walk down memory lane, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the podcast and reflecting on how far we’ve come—with over 500,000 downloads and listeners tuning in from all around the world. We chat about the most popular episode, our sometimes dodgy sound, and the connections we’ve made with authors and vendors in the indie publishing commun...

📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen 299 / Do you ever wish you had a clear, actionable way to understand book trends and make smarter publishing decisions? Nat Connors of Kindle Trends shares insights on the power of market awareness, how to focus on your “author neighborhood,” and why success is more about craft tha...

298 / We continue our discussion about what’s working in the indie author space. We join Douglas Pratt and Nicholas Harvey and share insights on navigating newsletter platforms, maximizing translations, and adapting to the changes in audiobooks and direct sales. This episode is full of practical nut-and-bolts tips and ideas.  Newsletter platform pros, cons, and cost-saving tips Subject lines, open...

297 / How are authors adapting in 2025's changing publishing world? Sara Rosett, Jami Albright, Nicholas Harvey, and Douglas Pratt share lessons learned, trends they’re seeing, and practical strategies from their own writing careers. Sales trends and challenges in 2025 Experimenting with book marketing Special editions and direct sales Using Patreon and subscriptions Impact of AI on publishin...

296 / Do you want to leverage your author website, use AI tools efficiently, and prune your tasks strategically so you can sell more books and focus your creative energy where it counts?  Thomas Umstattd Jr. shares insights on optimizing your book pages, using AI wisely, and making tough choices to thrive in a crowded publishing world. Why your book page matters for both readers and AI discovery T...

295 / Curious how authors can build thriving, sustainable careers—even without rapid releases or a huge backlist?  Matthew J. Holmes shares how he transformed his wife’s books into a six-figure business, the realities of book advertising, and the mindful strategies indie authors need now. Turning a single slow-release series into a profitable business Simplicity vs. complexity in book marketing an...

294 / Do you want to pitch your book to Hollywood? Screenwriter, playwright, and novelist Bart Baker shares how authors can position their books for adaptations. He also gives us the story behind Honeymoon With Harry , a movie deal twenty-plus years in the making, which will go into production in 2026, starring Kevin Costner and Jake Gyllenhaal for Amazon/MGM.  Lessons from writing plays, scripts,...

293 / Curious about how conferences can spark inspiration, build connections, and transform your author business? We  recap our experiences at Author Nation, share some lessons learned, and highlight community connection possibilities. Panel insights: romance, rom-com, cozy, and more Direct sales, Kickstarter, and translations for authors New tech for signed ebooks and social media marketing 💙 Be...

292 / Are you curious about when to work with a developmental editor, how to get unstuck in your manuscript, and what actually helps authors succeed for the long haul?  Editor and book coach Sarah Elle shares insights on the editing process, author mindset, and the strategies—plus pitfalls—every writer should know. When to bring in a developmental editor vs. a book coach The most common manuscript...

291 / Are you struggling to navigate burnout, industry shifts, or simply want to future-proof your writing career?  Becca Syme returns to share lessons from her own journey with burnout, sustainable author success, plus actionable advice for writers at every stage. Understanding and recovering from burnout Making mindset changes for autonomy and sustainability Streamlining your author business for...

290 / If you missed the first part of our interview with Lee and Russell, scroll back to the previous episode in your podcast feed and catch up. Part II of our conversation with Russell and Lee continues in this episode as we talk about money mindset, sustainability, collaboration, and more.  Lee Savino, seven-figure romance author and mastermind founder, and Russell Nolte, USA Today bestselling f...

Did you know we have a supporter episode out? This short highlight reel gives you a preview of our chat about symbolism. From Pride and Prejudice to Monk , we've got tons of insights and examples that show how symbols can deepen your stories.   Different types How we use it in our books Favorite examples from television and movies.  💙 Thanks to all our supporters who made this episode possib...

289 / Are you struggling to find ease, joy, and sustainability in your writing career as the industry keeps evolving?  Lee Savino, seven-figure romance author and mastermind founder, and Russell Nolte, USA Today bestselling fantasy author and co-host of the Six Figure Author Experiment podcast, discuss the realities of building and maintaining an author business. Redefining "hard" and &q...

288 / Have you ever wondered how to build a writing career that’s both creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable in today’s fast-changing publishing world? Douglas Pratt shares the real markers of success, tips on seeking feedback,  and why he moved away from strictly following “write what you know.” The importance of letting go of your “darlings”  Defining success beyond book sales and fa...

287 / Bestselling rom-com author Jeré Anthony shares about embracing your unique voice, the power of niche marketing, and why your book shouldn’t be for everyone.  We tackled topics like overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of taking risks, and making peace with the messiness of the creative process.  Finding your niche and accepting your book isn’t for everyone Leaning into your book’s un...

286 / What happens when a fantasy author brings a soundtrack to storytelling—and what can writers and readers learn from merging music, world-building, and social themes?  Richie Billing shares his innovative journey blending original soundtracks with fiction, the challenges of marketing across genres, and the lessons learned from a decade of writing. ✨Podcast Sponsor: Ingram Spark: https://www.i...

285 / Are you curious about how to move to a new genre? Fiona Marin shares her experiences switching from traditionally published middle grade to indie contemporary romance and the marketing strategies that have helped grow her readership. ✨Podcast Sponsor: Ingram Spark: https://www.ingramspark.com/learnmore Topics discussed in interview: Biggest differences between writing for middle grade and c...

283 / Curious about how to create a one-of-a-kind book that only you can write? John Gaspard joins the show to discuss his latest passion project, a photo-rich, locally inspired book, and sharing lessons learned. ✨Podcast Sponsor: Ingram Spark: https://www.ingramspark.com/learnmore Topics discussed in interview: Behind-the-scenes of researching a 50-year-old story, including tracking down intervi...

 283 / Have you ever wondered how to have a joy-filled writing career, especially when the publishing landscape is always changing? Jill Shalvis discusses her transition from traditional publishing to indie, what success means to her, and the writing and marketing lessons she wishes she'd known earlier.  ✨Podcast Sponsor: Ingram Spark: https://www.ingramspark.com/learnmore Topics discussed i...

282 / Are you curious how in-person events and writing retreats can transform your writing journey, expand your community, and inspire new connections?  Jami Albright and Sara Rosett dive into the benefits of stepping out of the writing cave, share insights from podcasting conferences, and reveal what really happens at writing retreats. Sara’s takeaways from Podcast Movement conference that can be...

281 / Shannon Lynn, middle grade sci-fi author and educator, shares how she found time to write while working full time, insight on launching your first book, and small marketing steps that add up over time.  Balances a day job with writing Tips for middle grade authors: marketing to parents and kids  Lessons learned about pacing  Print formatting and getting set up with Ingram Spark  Making strat...

280 /  Melissa Bourbon, multi-series mystery shares how she leverages Pinterest to find readers and sell books.  Trusting your intuition and staying true to your creative vision  Rethinking Social Media and Embracing Pinterest for Book Marketing Why Pinterest is great for long-term book visibility and discoverability How Melissa manages multiple pen names  Diversifying income through nonfiction fo...

279 / Ember Scott, multi-genre author (also writing as MJ Caan), shares his journey from the medical field to full-time indie author and unpacks how he successfully transitioned across genres and managed his author IP.  Finding and trusting your author voice How audience expectations shape the writing process Why it's okay not to master every platform and the importance of playing to your str...

278 / Stephanie Farris, bestselling romance author, pivoted between genres and platforms, and found her stride with short, market-savvy romance fiction. She shares how she moved from traditional publishing to indie success and details her approach to writing both steamy and sweet romance, with a deep dive into writing successful short "insta-love" romances. Finding your writing voice, an...

277 / Alyssa Archer, longtime indie author and editor, shares how she blended editing, writing, and community-building to create a sustainable, meaningful writing life. Navigating a career shift from fiction writing to editing and nonfiction projects, including the story behind her work on the Book of Birth .  The challenges and gifts of living and working with ADHD, from late diagnosis Practical...