Write to Publish

Two things that will hold a writer back are procrastination and overwhelm, but it is important to remember that nothing will hold you back more than the search for perfection. In this episode, we explore some strategies that will help you to make real progress in your writing. If you are looking for a great tool to get you on your way, why not try my Kick Start Your Fiction Writing Journey Course?...

Characters are the backbone of your story, and so it is important to write characters that really make your readers FEEL something! From creating back stories to traits and quirks, in this episode, we delve into the techniques that will bring your characters to life and have your readers begging for more!

Join me in this episode as I share the answers to some of the most common questions for new authors when it comes to self-publishing. Things like formatting queries, ISBN numbers, and how to market your book successfully. As always if you have any questions just drop me a line at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com Please subscribe and share, it helps the show to grow and makes me super happy and...

Dialogue can make or break your manuscript; if you get it right, it will move your plot forward and bring your characters to life. In this episode, I share some top tips for writing dialogue that is engaging, relatable and showcases each character's unique voice. If you have any questions or you'd like some feedback for your own writing, please do get in touch karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.co.uk...

The phrase 'show don't tell' is used in writing extensively but it can be tricky to really comprehend how and why to use it. In this episode we discuss the benefits of show don't tell writing and share some examples of how you might use it in your own writing...

In this episode we explore advanced writing techniques to make your prose more engaging, including sentence variation, strong imagery, and pacing strategies that keep readers hooked. If you have any questions relating to the topics covered today's show or you would like to ask about a different aspect of writing and publishing, get in touch at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com or follow us on so...

You've finished the first draft...now what? Revising your manuscript is where you start to polish your story and turn it into something publish-worthy. In this episode we talk about what you'll need to do before you hire a professional; from analysing your story arc and spotting plot holes, to deciding which scenes you need to cut or expand. If you have any questions about how to polish your first...

Hosting a launch can be a great way to celebrate the publication of your book. But there are some dos and don't to follow that can help you to get the biggest impact with regard to marketing your book in the future. In this episode we discuss venues, format, and tips for a successful book launch. There are lots of tips on launching your book to be found in the Mabel and Stanley Writing and Publish...

It is important that you and your editor have a good working relationship and so you will need to do your research beforehand. In this episode we delve into the different types of editing including developmental, line editing and proof reading to help you understand what help you may need for your manuscript. One thing is for certain, you really shouldn't skip the editing phase if you are to have...

In this episode we delve into the pros and cons of hybrid publishing and how it is different to Traditional, Self and Vanity methods. It is so important to do your research whatever method you choose... If you have any publishing questions please do get in contact at karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com or follow me on social media @mabelandstanleypublishing

In this interview I talk to the incredible Ines Zdelar about her book 'Teaching Baby to Sleep. Ines is a professional Nanny and sleep coach and she is passionate about the power of quality sleep for new mothers and their babies. Ines talks about the challenges she faced when writing her book, the power of having a mentor to keep her accountable and the overwhelming joy she felt when her book was p...

Author promotion can sometimes be harder than writing the book - especially for us creative types! The fact is, that if you don't promote yourself as an author then no-one is going to know when your book is published; and that won't be great for book sales! In this episode we talk about the importance of building an author platform and the ways in which you can become visible creating a solid fan...

The hard truth is that if you do not market your book it will not sell. In this episode I share tips for a marketing strategy that will help you to raise your author profile and sell more books. But remember this is not a quick fix, marketing takes time and commitment to be effective - it's a long game. If you'd like help with your book launch strategy, drop me a message karen@mabelandstanleypubli...

Sarah is a business mentor and strategist and author of Selling Without Sleaze.  In this episode she talks about her book journey - writing was not something she particularly felt drawn to initially - and how her book helped her to build her own business credibility. Sarah talks about the challenges she faced when trying to organise her thoughts and ideas and how she wished she had found a writing...

Writing can be a lonely old business and having a community of supportive, like-minded people around you can really help with motivation, inspiration and feedback which will greatly improve your chances of building on your writing skills and finishing your book! If you're looking for a community then the Mabel and Stanley Writing and Publishing Community could be the very place to help you on your...

Self publishing is an increasingly viable and attractive option for both new and seasoned authors, giving greater control and royalties in the long run. In essence it is a 'free' option but that doesn't mean you should cut corners when cutting costs. A poorly produced book will do nothing for your author credibility although there are definitely lots of ways in which you can publish on a budget wi...

Richard Pearson was one of the cleaning heroes on Channel 5's Filthy House SOS. In this interview he talks about his author journey writing his children's book Sparkle and the Messy Monster. Richard is passionate about cleaning and inspiring kids to help out around the house learning valuable life skills housekeeping habits that will stay with them forever. Richard is a great guy and it was wonder...

Publishing can be a veritable minefield and the truth is that no author's publishing journey is, or should be, the same. There are pros and cons to both publishing methods from budget to the amount of technical knowledge you may need as well as other things to consider such as cover design, editing, formatting, royalties, marketing, query letters, submissions....the list goes on and on! Finding a...

So many budding writers tell me that they would love to write a book but that they just don't know where or how to get started! The thing about book writing is that it can feel so overwhelming if you look at the whole project instead of breaking it down into manageable chunks. Having a plan, a writing schedule and a clear idea of your writing goals, visions and aims can make the impossible feel po...

Being able to chat with fellow writers has been so helpful for me. It took me a long time to find my writing tribe - I almost gave up on book NINE! - but now that I have it's amazing. Having like-minded individuals to chat to and seek creative ideas and motivation from is absolutely invaluable. If you'd like to join the Mabel and Stanley writing tribe then drop me a line at karen@mabelandstanleypu...

Having a robust story arc before you start writing will mean that you are less likely to have plot holes and inconsistencies in your finished story - it will also make the writing process much easier!   If you would like advice or support, get in touch, karen@mabelandstanleypublishing.com or why not subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date with tips, advice and offers? http://eepurl.com/ip...

There are many ways that you can promote yourself as an author and ultimately your book or books. Facebook is a great platform for authors and if utilised effectively it can be a great way to raise your profile, build a loyal following and sell more books. In this episode we explore some content ideas for authors on Facebook. If you'd like to be kept up to date with all that's happening at Mabel a...

In this episode, listen to the inspiring Kat Lord talk about her author journey and her passion for child development. Kat's book 'More to Mealtime' is part of her 'More to...' series and contains a whole host of great idea for organising mealtimes with little ones including routines and healthy recipe idea. Kat is a nanny and professional organiser, dedicated to helping families to improve their...

Let's talk emails! Building an email list of dedicated 'fans' can be a great way to promote and sell your work as an author - in this episode we talk about the ways in which you can do that and how you can entice readers into your list!

This week I talk to the inspirational Steve Sallis about his author journey as his new book 'How NOT to be a Leadership D*ckhead' is launched on June 6th. Get your copy on Amazon published by Mabel and Stanley Publishing #businessbook #leadership #newauthors Sign up for our newsletter here... http://eepurl.com/ipV7DI