Karen Stanley

Write to Publish

Arts EN ↓ 69 episodes

Join me, Karen Stanley, 14 times published author and founder of Mabel and Stanley Publishing as I guide you on your writing and publishing journey, with tips and advice, author interviews, hot topics for discussion and more. Learn how to hone your writing skills and about the minefield that can be the publishing world - let’s get you on the write path!

Author

Karen Stanley

Category

Arts

Podcast website

mabelandstanley.podbean.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Why isn't my book selling? 09.07.2026

You've done all the hard work...you've written the book, you've navigated the tricky waters of publishing, you've had a great launch and now...nothing! Book sales have dried up, and you are left wondering if all your efforts were in vain. In this episode, we explore why your sales may have dipped and the often simple fixes you can employ... As always, like and share if you enjoyed this episode - i...

The truth about Amazon bestseller status 25.06.2026

Getting a bestseller on Amazon in a particular category is a great achievement, but it is only one element in your book marketing toolkit. In this episode, we discuss what getting a bestseller actually means and what you should be doing for the long-term success of your book. Any questions - email me at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Is my book any good? 23.06.2026

Writing a book can be an emotive process, and understandably, authors can often feel some self-doubt when it comes to knowing whether their book is indeed ready for publishing. In this episode, we talk about ways in which you can receive reliable feedback for your book to ensure that you publish something worthy of your writing efforts. Don't forget, if you have any questions, then send me a messa...

How to spot a dodgy publisher - red flags explained 28.05.2026

Unfortunately, there are some really unscrupulous publishers out there. The trick is learning how to spot the red flags and arming yourself with enough knowledge to ensure that you have a great publishing experience and one that is perfect for you and your book. If you haven't bought your copy of How to Publish a Book - without getting ripped off yet, you can buy it in paperbcak on Amazon or get t...

Self-publishing...the good, the bad and the downright exciting! 14.05.2026

The publishing landscape has changed so much in recent years, and now there is never a more viable publishing option for new writers. In this episode, we'll explore what it means to self-publish and some of the pros and cons that you'll need to be aware of before you choose your own unique publsihing path. Don't forget you can buy my book, How to Publish a Book, without getting ripped off on Amazo...

The Brutal Truth - why readers stop reading 30.04.2026

You have two main challenges as a writer - the first is to create a great first line that hooks your reader in, and the second is to make them want to read all the way to the end without pausing for breath...simple, right?! In this episode, we talk about how to create content that means your book is read to the end and not banished to the much-maligned 'did not finish' pile.

The line that changes everything - writing a great hook 18.04.2026

Your first sentence only has ONE job... (whether you are writing reports, emails, novels, a business book or a social media post)...and that is to make your reader desperate to read the second one!   In this episode, we explore what makes a good hook and how to make sure that you write one.   If you'd like some feedback on your first line just drop me a message at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.c...

The messy middle! 29.01.2026

What do you do if you start your novel with masses of inspiration, but lose momentum and motivation once you get to the middle? This is a common problem for writers, and in this episode, we explore some of the reasons why this can occur and what you can do to fix it. As usual, if you have any questions, you know where to find me: karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com And don't forget to like, follow...

The realities of becoming a self-published author - the highs and the lows 04.12.2025

Authors have so much more freedom currently, and there are many more options open to them than the traditional publishing route of yesteryear. Self-publishing can be a great way to publish - you retain rights and royalties, and you have creative freedom for sure, but it can also be a lonely path. In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of self-publishing for new authors keen to share their w...

Building your author platform beyond social media likes 20.11.2025

Building your author platform takes time and consistency, and social media is only part of the picture. Using a range of marketing tactics will greatly improve your author visibility and ultimately the success of your book. If you have any questions about building your author platform, then please do drop me a message at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget...

Author Interview with Aileen Coleman 06.11.2025

Aileen's charming children's book about a lively Granny who loves to be active invites kids to interact and engage with some fun pilates-inspired activities. As a teacher and pilates instructor, Aileen is passionate about keeping minds and bodies active and used her experience of reading many children's stories throughout the years, to overcome any confidence issues when it came to writing and pub...

Author Interview with Sandra Hughes 30.10.2025

Sandra published her book 'Calm Your Worry Warrior' with #mabelandstanleypublishing in 2021 and has used her book as a great lead magnet. She has also leveraged the book to position herself as an expert in her fields of psychotherapy and physiotherapy. The far-reaching opportunities of writing a business book can have a real positive impact; a business book can open many doors. As usual if you hav...

Author Interview - Samantha Ward-Smith 23.10.2025

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Samantha Ward-Smith about her book 'Tower of Vengeance' and about her upcoming launch of 'Ravenscourt', another work of historical fiction set in Venice, this time as opposed to the 13th-century Tower of London! You can find Sam's book on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Author Interview - Jackie Sansom 16.10.2025

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Jackie Sansom about her book 'I am Agnes' and about her plans for book two. Jackie was one of the founder members of the Mabel and Stanley community, and she has definitely got the writing bug! You can find Jackie's book on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Author Interview - Ines Zdelar 09.10.2025

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Ines Zdelar about her book 'Teaching Baby to Sleep'. As a professional sleep coach and experienced Nanny, Ines's book has had a really positive impact on her business. You can find Ines's book on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Author Interview - Trudi Smith 02.10.2025

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Trudi Smith about her writing journey. She has published 'The Books of Thyme' a YA Egyptology work of fiction, as well as a ten-book series for young children about the charming and slightly mischievous 'Monsters of Glubbs Bottom. You can find Trudi's books on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing...

Author Interview - Rose Gibson 25.09.2025

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Rose Gibson about her book 'I'm Fine', which is a refreshingly honest reflection on the ups and downs of motherhood with some top tips for self-care. Rose is the founder of BabyBeats and is passionate about women's health especially during and after pregnancy and childbirth. You can find Rose's book on Amazon. Get...

Author Interview - Gaitree Cuppoor 18.09.2025

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Gaitree Cuppoor about her book 'ABC of World Languages', which is a wonderful celebration of folk songs from around the world in every language from A-Z! You can find Gaitree's book on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Author Interview - Paula C Russell 11.09.2025

As part of our author interview special episodes for Autumn 2025, I chat with Paula C Russell author of the 'One More Try' series. She talks about how she wrote nine books in lockdown and now has the task of editing and refining her series! You can buy 'One More Try' and 'Let Me Go' on Amazon - watch out for the next books in the series!

Maria Culley - Author Interview 04.09.2025

As part of the Write to Publish interview season for Autumn 2025, I chat with author Maria Culley about her book 'There's a Nanny in MY House!' and about her plans for a sequel. You can find Maria's book on Amazon. Get in touch - karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

How to write faster without sacrificing quality 21.08.2025

Writing is time-consuming, there is no doubt, and whilst the process itself is part of the fun, there are still ways in which you can increase your efficiency as a writer. In this episode, we explore some tips and tricks to make sure you are at your most productive whilst still creating a masterpiece! What are your writing tricks for efficiency? karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com

Common writing mistakes and how to fix them 13.08.2025

Writing rules are sometimes there to be broken but you do need an understanding of the rules before you do that! There are some mistakes that can cause real damage to your writing as a whole, and in this episode, we cover info dumping, passive voice, flat characters, and weak openings, and why you really should pay attention to these writing 'rules'. As always, if you have any questions just drop...

Adding sparkle to your writing 24.07.2025

Does your writing feel flat and uninspiring when you read it back to yourself? The truth is, you can have the best content in the world but if you don't deliver it in a way that is engaging and compelling, then your book will end up in the DNF pile. In this episode, we talk about some of the tips and tricks that can take your writing from meh to wow! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if y...

What makes a book sell - understanding marketability 10.07.2025

You can write the best book in the world, but if you don't get the marketing right, then your readers will never know it's there! In this episode, we examine the key factors that influence a book’s success, including genre expectations, cover design, pricing strategies, reader psychology, and marketing tactics. As always, send me a message if you have any questions karen@mabelandstanleypublishing....

From first draft to polished manuscript 24.06.2025

In this episode, we discuss the different stages of editing - self-editing, developmental edits, line edits, and proofreads - so you can refine your work and prepare it for publication. Any questions then drop me a message karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com - I'm always happy to help!

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