The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

Latest Episodes:

Dealing With Change And How To Build Resilience As An Author With Becca Syme Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

There are more options for publishing and reaching readers than ever before, and the indie author business models are splintering and diverging, so how do we know which path to follow? How do we deal with the changes due to generative AI, and how do we manage the grief and anxiety about these shifts? Becca […]

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How To Create Beautiful Print Books And Sell Direct With Alex Smith From Bookvault Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

How can you create more beautiful print books — and make more money with your products by selling direct? Alex Smith explains how BookVault can help with various options as well as helpful resources. In the intro, audiobooks and AI [Frankfurt Bookmesse]; Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Virtual Worlds by Joanna Penn; Google’s woke AI Gemini […]

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Tips On Writing Memoir With J.F. Penn Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

How can you write a memoir that is emotionally honest and revealing enough for readers to care, and cope with the inevitable fear of judgment that evokes? How can you write about real places and people in memoir? Why is editing a memoir so challenging and what should you keep in mind around publishing and […]

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The Hard Joy Of Writing With Sharon Fagan McDermott and M.C. Benner Dixon Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

How can we focus on the joy of the writing process itself, rather than the outcome? How can we embrace the positive side of being jealous of the success of other writers? How can we deepen our writing with metaphor and sense of place? Co-authors of writing book, Millions of Suns, Sharon and Christine share […]

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Writing And Producing A Micro-Budget Film With Jeffrey Crane Graham Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

How can you pick yourself, rather than wait for someone else to pick you? How can you take control of your independent career and bring your creative vision to life? Jeffrey Crane Graham talks about his experience as an indie filmmaker, with lots of tips for indie authors. In the intro, 6 Types of Submission […]

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Your Author Brand With Isabelle Knight Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

How do you find the story behind all your stories? Who are you at the heart of your books? Isabelle Knight talks about the importance of author brand in an age of limitless content, and gives tips on how to discover yours. In the intro, 20 new miniature books added to Queen Mary’s Dollhouse [BBC]; […]

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How To Be Successful On Kickstarter With Paddy Finn Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

What are the benefits — and the challenges — of crowdfunding on Kickstarter? How can you fund successfully, as well as make a profit with your campaign? Paddy Finn gives his tips. In the intro, you can find more selling direct resources here; Streaming due for a streamlining [FT]; Authors Guild explores AI licensing deal […]

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A Creative Approach To Generative AI In Book Cover Design With James Helps Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

I really enjoyed this laid-back discussion around AI tools as part of the creative book cover design process with James Helps from Go On Write. We discuss how generative AI tools can help make more unique and interesting cover designs, and how designers can have a more imaginative time making them. This episode is supported […]

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Direct Sales And Merchandising For Authors With Alex Kava Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

What are the benefits and challenges of selling direct? How can you use limited edition merchandise to add more value to retailers and make more money on a launch? Alex Kava talks about her author business. In the intro, award-winning Japanese writer, Rie Kudan, used ChatGPT to write parts of her prize-winning novel and judges […]

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Facing Fears, And Writing Unique Characters With Barbara Nickless Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

How can we move past our fears to write the books that mean the most to us? How can we write unique and compelling characters that keep readers coming back for more in a series? Barbara Nickless talks about mindset and writing craft in this wide-ranging interview. In the intro, Planning for a Creative 2024 […]

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