Wish I'd Known Then Podcast For Writers

Episode 124 /  We’re taking this week off for a summer break, but we’re giving you a quick recap on Inkers Con (it was great!) and then replaying one of our early episodes. Historical romance author Cecelia Mecca what she learned when she changed genres and how she now reverse engineers her books before she writes them. Intro links:  Sara’s interview with Findaway Voices about writing mysteries, p...

Episode 123 / Mike Stop Continues, founder of SiteArcade, joins us to talk all the things related to author websites: why you need a website, what should be one it, branding, and the benefits of a press kit for authors. Links of interest:  Sara will be chatting with Findaway Voices next week Wednesday (June 8th) about mysteries and audiobooks at  11:00 AM (EDT). You can register here: https://app....

Episode 122 / Romance author and email expert Holly Darling joins us to share how we can connect with readers from the moment they opt-in to our emails. There’s so much good info in this episode! We guarantee you’ll come away with so many ways to improve your welcome sequence. Show notes: Creative ways to use double opt-in as part of the welcome sequence  What happens in each email inside a welcom...

Episode 121 / Daniela Romero, new-adult and paranormal romance author, joins us to talk about why it’s important for readers to have books and characters that reflect their experiences and how authors can write diverse characters. We also delve into Daniela’s principle of having many streams of income, so that if one stream wanes her overall revenue isn’t impacted. She tell us how she’s creating m...

Episode 120 / Lisa Suzanne, sports romance author, joins us to talk about how a pivot to writing shorter sports romance books, banking them, and releasing rapidly took her career to a new level. We also talk about how she brands her series as well as using cliffhangers to keep readers coming back to a series.   Show notes: How Lisa shifted from pantsing to plotting her books The importance of trop...

Episode 119 / Southern urban fantasy author Kimbra Swain joins us this week to share tips on connecting with your readers and expanding your income streams. Kimbra creates jewelry, book boxes, tumblers, and many other items for her readers. Learn how she uses physical items to deepen her connection with readers and create life-long fans through her books, merchandising, and Pateron. Intro links: K...

Episode 118 / Orna Ross, author and poet as well as director of the Alliance of Independent Authors, joins us this week to talk about writing across multiple genres and planning for authors. So much wisdom on how to learn from mistakes and grow in your career in this episode! Show notes: How Orna transitioned from teaching to writing fiction and poetry The advantages of writing in multiple genres...

Episode 117 / Do you want to use TikTok to grow your readership? BookTokker Sarah Thompson shares tips for authors who want to get started as well as insights on how she picks and reviews books.    Show notes: How Sarah got started reviewing books How Sarah picks and reviews books Tips for authors who want to reach out to BookTokkers Mistakes authors make when they reach out to BookTokkers How to...

Episode 116 / Do you want to pitch your books to Hollywood for film or television? Entertainment attorney Maggie Marr is here to share insight on how to find and vet and entertainment attorney. Plus she shares tips on negotiation as well as why now is a good time to delve into screenwriting, if you’ve always wanted to adapt your novel. Intro links: InkersCon - Jami and Sara will be in Dallas in Ju...

Episode 115 / Cindy Burnett, host of the Thoughts from a Page Podcast, joins us this week and shares tips for authors who want to pitch book reviewers, podcasters, or bookstrammers. We also talk about Cindy’s Patreon and how she’s structured it to appeal to readers.  Show notes: How Cindy’s love of reading launched her into reviewing books, writing columns about books, and eventually podcasti How...

Episode 114 / Do you wonder if a secret pen name is for you? Do you want a sustainable long term writing career? Romance and nonfiction author Zoe York joins us to discuss secret pen names, how she iterates her goals, and gives out of the box marketing tips. Also why Tik Tok is working now and Facebook is stagnating for authors Show notes: Why Zoe started a pen name and why she keeps it secret Why...

Episode 113 / Are you looking for a new revenue stream? Selling in person at shows is an option to add to your list of possibilities. Young adult science fiction and fantasy author Clare C. Marshall joins us today to share her tips for selling in person at craft shows, festivals, and comic conventions. Intro links:  The Thing About Austen podcast The Thing About Austen Instagram Nightingale: An An...

Episode 112 / We get an update from Jami on her vacation, check in on how the writing community is helping Ukrainians, and answer listener questions.   Intro links: Writers For Ukraine Wish I’d Known Think Mini-sode: Writers Helping Ukrainians  Show notes: Listener questions:  How do you record audio yourself? What is the equipment you need, how do you edit etc. Zoom Hindenburg Wish I’d Known Then...

Resources to Help Ukrainians   Ways to help, sourced by author Sara Rosett, from the writing community:  Fundraisers from Writing Community Author Daniel Willcocks has set up a fundraising writing challenge: Writers for Ukraine, the One Million Word challenge. The charity drive runs March 9th-15th www.activatedauthors.com/ukraine Author Cecelia Mecca has set up a reader giveaway of fiction books t...

Episode 111 / Paranormal romance author Krystal Shannan joins us this week to talk about how shifting to writing intuitively was freeing for her and revitalized her writing process. We also talk about whether or not you should cull your newsletter, what Krystal does when she gets stuck, and why readers want specific emotional payoffs in each genre. Plus, mythology and unicorns! Intro links:  Intro...

Episode 110 / Do you want to simplify your publishing process? Evan Gow joins us to talk about how Story Origin can make things easier in your writing life. Story Origin has been around since 2018 and has created a list of features to help authors including, reader magnet distribution, email integration, beta copy and ARC copy distribution and tracking, cross promo opportunities, and more. Intro l...

Episode 109 / Jami and Sara talk about creating compelling characters sharing their lessons learned. They give examples of how they created specific characters and delve into naming characters, backstory, and physical description. How they developing a main character Ways to create characters:  Character sheets/study/history Images  Enneagram  Astrological signs/Tarot Strengths Biographies/Memoirs...

Episode 108 / Mark McGuinness joins us this week to talk about poetry and it’s a fascinating discussion. We chat about the multiple ways to experience poetry as well as how writing first thing in the day has been a key to Mark’s success. Show notes: Why you sometimes have to get out of the way and let the poem or prose come through Why it’s much better not to treat marketing as something separate...

Episode 107 / Kate P. Adams joins us this week as part of the New Author series. She’s a newly published cozy mystery author and shares how she researched the genre and self publishing as well as how she rapid-released her series.  Show notes: How Kate began writing nonfiction and shifted to fiction Expectations of cozy readers Why Kate wrote a reader magnet before writing her first novel How Kate...

Episode 106 / Do you think being a hybrid author is the best of both worlds? Join us this week as we chat with romantic comedy author Stefanie London about balancing traditional publishing with indie publishing.  Intro links: Ines Johnson Metadata Sheet Market Better Faster Jami’s interview on the Rebel Author Podcast Body Beats to Build On by April W. Gardner 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman  Show n...

Episode 105 / Do you want to get off the new release treadmill? Are you looking for a way to connect with your readers and keep your backlist alive without writing additional books? Monica Leonelle and Russell Nohelty have a possibility for you: Kickstarter. Monica and Russell gave us so many fantastic ideas for how to add Kickstrater to your author platform. Our minds are blown with the possibili...

Episode 104 / Do you wish there was an easy way to keep track of your sales on all platforms? Phillipa Werner joins us today to share how Scribecount solves this problem for indie authors. Phillipa is a prolific author and the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Scribecount.  Phillipa gives us the details on Scribecount, which collects and collates sales data for authors, and we learn what she w...

Episode 103 / Do you struggle to outline? Are you an organic writer who writes into the dark? Then you’ll enjoy this episode with thriller author Kevin Tumlinson who is a discovery writer. We talk about his process of writing, what he does when he gets stuck, and how he edits as he goes. Kevin also describes how he uses crossovers to build his series world and gives tips for anyone aspiring to be...

Episode 102 / Do you want to promote your audiobooks? Or are you just getting started with audio and aren’t sure how to create an audiobook? Will Dages, Head of Findaway Voices, joins us talk all things audio. Will tells us about Findaway’s new Marketplace, which helps connect narrators and authors. He also shares tips about how to work with narrators, how to promote your audio on all platforms, a...

Episode 101 / Do you want to be more organized in 2022? Do you love planners, calendars, and notebooks? Then this week’s episode with author and creator of The Author’s Planner , Audrey Hughey, is for you. If you’re not a fan of planners, don’t tune out. Audrey has a great perspective on making your plans work for you so that you’re not stressed out. We chat about what to do if you’re not a planne...