Wish I'd Known Then Podcast For Writers

Episode 249 / Guest: Matilda Swift, cozy mystery author and co-host of the Pen to Paycheck podcast Topics: Finding your genre: identifying and embracing what truly fascinates you Overcoming self-doubt Why releasing more books isn’t always the path to success Time and schedule management challenges The creative process behind Matilda’s engaging book titles and unique warm reader magnet Working in y...

Episode 248 / Fantasy author and Kickstarter expert Anthea Sharp joins us to share tips on running crowdfunding campaigns as well as how Kickstarter has helped her move toward a mindset of relaxed prosperity. Topics: Relaxed prosperity Finding your voice Having the confidence to pick yourself  Why Anthea has a “pruning list” and how she motivates herself to cut back instead of adding tasks to her...

Episode 247 / We’ve both been traveling, so this week is a catch up episode about Jami’s experience at Author Nation, the biggest author conference in the world, and Sara’s cruise in the Mediterranean. Plus, details on Jami’s surprise European vacation. Join us for a chat about connecting with other writers, author business phases, and special editions as well as the dangerous combo of wide-leg pa...

Episode 246 / It’s a Jami and Sara episode this week as they discuss the importance of endings, their favorite (and not-so-favorite endings) as well as the six different types of endings.  Spoiler warning for these books/shows we discuss:  Extraordinary Attorney Woo Pride and Prejudice  Sugar Daddy Sixth Sense Ted Lasso The Partner Nobody Wants This Fourth Wing The Serpent and the Wings of Night T...

Episode 245 / Ines Johnson joins us and shares strategies for book marketing in the age of direct sales. We discuss: Testing and tweaking to increase backlist sales Importance of thinking of your customer in marketing to create a personal connection  Effective ad strategies using purchase ads  Special editions and direct sales, including incorporating elements like foiling and character art in spe...

Episode 244 / Is it too late to plan holiday promotions? Nope. You still have plenty of time–and holiday promotions don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.  We delve into what tactics we’ve used and found effective for marketing to cold, warm, and hot audiences.  -What we wish we’d known about marketing during the holidays   -Group promos ideas -> warm/cold audience -Solo promo ideas -&...

Episode 243 / We are thrilled (pun intended!) to chat with contemporary crime and conspiracy thriller author Nick Stevens.  We talk about anti-heroes, setups and payoffs, Tremors , and why sometimes you just have to publish the book.  10:58 Why emotional connection is better than perfect structure in storytelling 14:00 Using multiple formats to diversify 17:18 Marketing mistake: starting too early...

Episode 242 / We're diving deep into listener questions about everything from drafting and editing techniques, tackling imposter syndrome, and decoding our strengths.  🥤☕️ So grab your favorite beverage—be it Diet Coke or a cup of comforting coffee–and join us for a Wednesday chat about writing.  💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backli...

Episode 241 / Whether you're an introvert or extrovert you can develop a platform to grow your author brand. Learn how with authors of From Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker , suspense and thriller author Matty Dalrymple and  science fiction & fantasy author M.L. Ronn (Michael La Ronn).   Topics: How to match your platform to your personality  Tips for effective public...

Episode 240 / In 2024, Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe paired their love of regency romances like Bridgerton with their bad habit of killing people in their books to create a new series that they rapid-released, the Crown Jewels Regency Mystery Series.  Topics: Why brutal honesty is critical for collaboration How to spot trends Tips on how to incorporate trends into a genre and still meet reader...

Episode 239 / Want to make a big impact with your book? Publicist, award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and author of Make a Big Impact with Your Book , Melanie Herschorn, has tips to help you stand out.  Topics: Beyond the Launch: keep promoting—your book is new to someone who hasn’t read it yet Misconceptions around marketing: engage beyond bookstores Building a community and relationships  D...

Episode 238 / Want some ideas on how to get readers on your newsletter list? On this Ask Us Anything episode, we have SO MANY ideas for you!  Topics: Expectations for earnings Building a List Preview Promos  Reader magnets Difference between pre- and post-novel reader magnets Creative reader magnets 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backlist o...

Episode 237/Guest:  Luke Mitchel, science fiction and fantasy author  Topics:  Luke’s transition from KU to wide and direct sales Self-editing and revisions and accepting your writing style Writing short stories to refresh the creative process Moving away from social media and focusing on email marketing and direct sales  💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/suppo...

Episode 236 / Ever wondered why certain characters steal your heart? This week we chat with Jessica Firpi, a TV and movie reviewer as well as a K-drama enthusiast and podcast host. We explore everything from effective "save the cat" moments to why a sunshine character can make a dark character shine.  If you've ever wondered how to make your characters compelling, relatable, and unf...

Episode 235 / Fantasy romance author Penn Cole shares tips on writing to market in a way that goes beyond the usual analysis of trends and tropes, patience in the writing and publishing process, and translations using an agent. Topics: Penn’s tips on prepping for publication and ARC teams How to research and write to market in a deep way, focusing on why certain books resonate with readers Putting...

Episode 234 / Liz Shipton is a freelance writer, hybrid author, and full-time, off-grid, liveaboard sailor. She shares how changing her lifestyle to become a digital nomad created more time for writing and how she uses Tik Tok to market her books. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive supporter episodes, the private slack group, and a shoutout on a future...

Episode 233 / Ever wished you had some writing hacks to make your drafting and editing go more smoothly? (And who hasn’t?) Then this episode with cozy author Barbara Emodi is for you! Barbara is a developmental editor for emerging writers and has great insights. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast and get access to the backlist of exclusive supporter episodes, the private slack group, and a sho...

Episode 232 /  Jessie Kwak writes supernatural thrillers and sci-fi crime as well as nonfiction productivity books including, From Chaos to Creativity and From Big Idea to Book.  Topics: Trusting your own process, reassessing expectations, and enjoying the writing process How Jessie blends sci-fi and crime genres and found her second series easier to market with a clearer target audience How Jessi...

Episode 231 / Dr. Nick Courtright of Atmosphere Press, a literary hybrid publisher dedicated to author rights, joins us to discuss different publishing options, letting go of the mindset that you must have an agent, and the importance of a personal brand. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive supporter episodes, the private slack group, and a shoutout on a...

Episode 230 / A.B. Herron blends elements of fantasy and romance in her fiction. She shares about balancing a full-time job while diving headfirst into the world of writing, the joy of connecting with readers at book fairs, and the critical role a supportive community plays in overcoming challenges, especially for authors with dyslexia. 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the bac...

Episode 229 / Learn about the four basic types of relationship arcs from freelance developmental editor and writing writing instructor, September C. Fawkes.  Discover how mapping arcs can define the direction and evolution of your characters' relationships and create a dynamic, zigzag narrative.  💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive supporter episode...

Episode 228 / Kemper Donovan is the host of the All About Agatha podcast and author of The Busy Body, a USA Today bestseller on launch earlier this year. Kemper shares tips for querying and how podcasting about Agatha Christie helped him connect with mystery authors and also provided a built-in audience for his book.  💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive...

Episode 227 / Liz Long shares her journey of embracing her own uniqueness, particularly in relation to ADHD and finding peace and growth after personal loss.  Quick note: the language in this episode isn’t as family-friendly as our usual G/PG episodes, so just be aware of that.  💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive supporter episodes, the private slack gr...

Episode 226 / Author, musician, and marketer, Paul Indigo shares insights on seeking validation, embracing our voice, and the unconventional use of an Excel spreadsheet for writing and marketing. If you’ve tried all the writing software and haven’t found one that works for you, perhaps your answer is a spreadsheet! 💙 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! Get access to the backlist of exclusive sup...

Episode 225 / Megan Vernon, author of over 40 romance novels, joins us to talk about starting over after a difficult experience of being publicly criticized. We talk about the need to give ourselves grace and the importance of a supportive community for navigating the ups and downs of a writing career. Megan shares about her creation of the Mojo Dojo Casa House, a supportive space for published au...