Wish I'd Known Then: a Podcast for Self Published Indie Writers

Latest Episodes:

Penn Cole on Writing to Market and Prepping for Publication Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

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 your blinders on and having the self confidence to go with your intuition
Special editions from trad publishers
Translations–why using an agent who specializes in sub-rights can be helpful
The power of kindness, especially toward readers

💙 🎙 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. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Links:

https://www.penncole.com

https://classes.betterfasteracademy.com/courses/bfacon-2024-in-minnesota--6084b57c-5905-472f-a1dc-c180d44a2f6e/salespage

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops
❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5
🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/
📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/
The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

Tik Tok Success and Being a Digital Nomad with Liz Shipton Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

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.

⭐ Episode Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off a Xero subscription for 3 months. https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

Going viral on Tik Tok
How become a digital nomad created more time for writing
Why Liz creates two versions of her books, a new adult version and a YA version
Pros and cons of writing a long series as your first series

Links:

https://lizshipton.com

https://tiktok.com/lizshipton

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGZPK9NX

https://instagram.com/lizshipton

Joe Solari interview: Ep. 211: Financial Freedom, Direct Sales, and Author Nation with Joe Solari https://wishidknownforwriters.com/211-2/

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Writing Hacks with Author and Developmental Editor Barbara Emodi Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

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 shoutout on a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off Xero subscription for 3 months. Link: https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

Writing hacks
Streamlining social media
How to write authentically
Letting go of the thought that you have to plot to write a book
Tips for writing humor

Links:

https://www.Babsemodi.com

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Jessie Kwak on Finding Joy in Your Writing Process and Cross-Genre Marketing Tips Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

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 Jessie integrates her fiction and nonfiction in her promotion and marketing
The power of showing up consistently and focusing on daily work to achieve long-term success
Author Alchemy Summit - February 14th-16th in Portland, a small, intimate conference focused on marketing and business, with plenty of opportunities for networking

Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off Xero subscription for 3 months.
Link: https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Links:

www.jessiekwak.com

Conference: www.authoralchemysummit.com

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Publishing Options with Nick Courtright of Atmosphere Press Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

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.

Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off Xero subscription for 3 months. Link: https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

The rise in indie and hybrid publishing
Tips on navigating the industry
Common mistakes Nick sees authors making
Letting go of the mindset that you must have an agent to be successful
Atmosphere Press’s commitment to transparency and author rights

Links:

https://www.atmospherepress.com

https://www.atmospherepress.com/call-for-submissions/

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Finding your Community and Navigating Dyslexia with A.B. Herron Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

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.

Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off Xero subscription for 3 months. Link: https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

Forming and maintaining a tight-knit writing group, which Amanda formed through a combo of accidental encounters, the NextDoor app, and a bit of subterfuge
The necessity of ongoing learning in the writing and publishing industry
Launching with stand-alones instead of a series
The importance of figuring things out on her own along the way
Advice for overcoming obstacles and believing in your story

Links:

https://www.abherron.com/

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🎭 Relationship Arcs with September C. Fawkes Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

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.

⭐ Episode Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off a Xero subscription for 3 months. https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

The four types of relationships arcs with examples from across genres
How to use external factors, internal conflicts, and the right antagonistic forces to create believable relationship challenges
How to apply relationship arcs to multi-book series
Relationship arc variations
How to use tropes to label relationship arcs

Sponsor:

Xero Accounting Software

(See script) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-hvFLrOc069GSjMc8vRwQX9nVE6LasBWwqATt8XxLLU/edit

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off Xero subscription for 3 months. Link: https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Links:

https://www.septembercfawkes.com/

https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2022/10/the-4-basic-types-of-relationship-arcs.html

Inkers con links:

Sara: https://inkerscon.com/2024-digital-conference/ref/32 CODE: SARA24

Jami: https://inkerscon.com/2024-digital-conference/ref/1 CODE:JAMI24

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🎧 Kemper Donovan on Building An Audience Through Podcasting Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

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.

⭐ Episode Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off a Xero subscription for 3 months. https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

Tuning out the noise and finding your own writing process and voice
Benefits of podcasting: social interaction with less stress than social media, audience building, and connection with other authors and readers
Tips for finding agents and querying and insight into traditional publishing
How Kemper drew on Agatha Christie’s influence
Navigating writing, promotion, and self-doubt as an author

Links:

http://www.kemperdonovan.com

Kemper Donovan Books - Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100095414958480/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/allaboutthedame?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutagatha/

Sara’s 1920s mystery, Murder Among the Pyramids, direct sales launch: https://sararosettbooks.com/collections/lady-traveler

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🌦️Writing with ADHD and Surviving Life’s Storms with Liz Long Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

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 group, and a shoutout on a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

⭐ Episode Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off a Xero subscription for 3 months. https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

How mental health advocacy intersects with Liz Long's writing career
Approaching social media through the lens of helping people
Liz’s late in life ADHD diagnosis
Drafting tips and and Liz’s personalized coping mechanisms
Overcoming self-doubt as well as finding and using your inner voice
How naming concepts de-stigmatizes mental health and starts conversations

Links:
https://lizlongwrites.com

Jami on Romance Writer’s Therapy Podcast: https://pod.link/1595202492/episode/870c1827d8f5d5268f51f6a752c230a5

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📶 Using Excel to Write a Book with Paul Indigo Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

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!

⭐ Episode Sponsor: Xero Accounting Software

Use discount code WISHIDKNOWNTHEN20 and get 20% off a Xero subscription for 3 months. https://www.xero.com/us/?utm_source=WishIdKnownThen&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=customer%20podcast

Topics:

The power of authenticity and vulnerability in fiction writing
Reader feedback as validation
Why the “vein of truth” must run through both your book and your marketing
Having the confidence to trust in your voice
Tips on using a spreadsheet to write a book
How a spreadsheet allows you to see the structure or visitual tapestry of a book
The interconnectedness of writing and music, which are both forms of artistic expression driven by emotion and structure

Links:

paulindigo.com

Bookfunnel as an ads landing page: https://blog.bookfunnel.com/2024/katie-cross-bookfunnel-as-a-landing-page/

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