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

Latest Episodes:

My Favorite Trope (Part 1) Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

Episode 195 / What’s your favorite trope? We asked a range of authors this question, and we’re here to share the answers as well as unpack the benefits of writing tropes, why we love specific tropes, and where to find the best examples of the specific trope in books, movies, and television.

Tropes discussed: found family, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, grumpy sunshine, and marriage of convenience.

Authors included in this episode: Wendy Vella, Ines Johnson, Becca Syme, Daniel Willcocks, Matty Dalrymple, and Megan Haskell.

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Our Sponsor: Bookfunnel.com

https://www.bookfunnel.com/wikt-podcast

📥 Send us a Text Message

Support the show

🚀 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

How to Write Realistic and Entertaining Law Enforcement Characters with Patrick O'Donnell Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

Episode 194 / Patrick O’Donnell is a retired Milwaukee Police Department sergeant with a 25-year career as well as an author and podcaster.

He shares common mistakes he sees in characterization and police procedure in genre fiction. We discuss how to go beyond overused tropes and how to get the details of investigations right without boring the reader.

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Links:

Patrick O’Donnell’s Links: https://www.copsandwriters.com

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patrick-ODonnell/author/B01N1RBP40

Cop Camp: https://sleuthsandstorytellers.com/cop-camp

Our Sponsor: BookFunnel.com/WIKT-Podcast

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Kat Addams on Why You’re Not Stuck Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

Episode 193 / Kat Addams is an author of contemporary romantic comedies and women empowerment non-fiction titles. She shares how her career path looks different than she expected, but after learning she didn’t have to stay stuck in a toxic relationship or stay in a genre lane, she’s now where she’s supposed to be.

We discuss giving yourself permission, self worth, confidence, and how important it is to realize that you can change your situation whether it's writing in a different genre or leaving an abusive relationship.

Author website: kataddams.com

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Our Sponsor: Bookfunnel

https://bookfunnel.com/wikt-podcast/ - $50 off the yearly fee for new accounts excluding the first time author plan

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians

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Selling to Readers on Your Website with Natalie Knight Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Episode 192 / Dark romance author Natlie Knight joins us to share how she sells to readers first on her website and uses the retail platforms for discovery.

We also talk about the importance of highlighting back catalogue books, why you should start your newsletter early, and how Natalie uses branded merchandise to promote her books.

Links:

Jami on Two Authors Chatting podcast: https://pod.link/1671876768/episode/734263342e60729be17faedacd41b408

Sara on Indy Author Podcast: https://bit.ly/TIAP210

Author website: www.realtabooromance.com www.natalieknightromance.com

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Sponsor: Bookfunnel https://bookfunnel.com/wikt-podcast/

Damon’s Interview

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians

📥 Send us a Text Message

Support the show

✨ From Small Press to Indie Publishing with Tudor Historical Fiction Author Karen Heenan Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Episode 191 / Historical fiction author Karen Heenan shares how her writing career started with a Tweet that drew the attention of a publisher, and how she eventually transitioned from working with a small press to indie publishing.
We also talk about focusing on building a backlist, validation, and learning to filter out advice and writing practices that don’t work with your strengths.
Author website: https://www.karenheenan.com

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

⭐️ Podcast sponsor this month is BookFunnel! Get $50 off the yearly fee for new accounts. (Excludes the first time author plan.) https://bookfunnel.com/wikt-podcast/

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians

📥 Send us a Text Message

Support the show

Out of the Box Promotion Ideas and the Power of Persistence with Arlene McFarlane Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Episode 190 / Arlene McFarlane shares some unusual promotion ideas, including in-person sales and co-writing. We also talk about perfectionism and incorporating your background and interests into your writing and promotion.

Links:

Author website: https://www.arlenemcfarlane.com/

Jami on the Two Authors’ Chat Show:

https://pod.link/1671876768/episode/734263342e60729be17faedacd41b408

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Time Stamps:

00:39 Introduction
13:21 Hitting Milestones
15:15 Listening to Feedback
20:11 Battling Perfectionism
23:11 Not for the Faint of Heart
27:14 Different ways to Market
28:28 Authenticity
33:02 CoWriting

Transcript:

https://wishidknownforwriters.com/190-2/

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians

📥 Send us a Text Message

Support the show

KimBoo York on Writing Serials and Trusting your Intuition Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Episode 189 / KimBook York writes across multiple genres including romance, fantasy, and non-fiction. We talk about why there’s no “correct” way to write a book and why it’s important to trust your instincts in both writing and marketing.

We also discuss the structure of serials and how that can apply to other genres, how to be a discovery writer and maintain a subscription, and how to avoid burnout.

Links:

KimBook York website: https://houseofyork.info

https://houseofyork.substack.com

Kimboo’s spreadsheet for outlining a serial: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E6I6Z4TwKgVtUTaid28J2ng_tSxU0HjauV9OievkcTE/edit#gid=0

Kimboo’s Podcast: Around the Writer's Table https://pod.link/1615627520
Joanna Penn's Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thecreativepenn/writing-the-shadow-turn-your-inner-darkness-into-words

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Time Stamps:

0:37 Introduction
9:56 3 Fs of Success
11:32 No One Way
14:25 Consistency in Marketing
18:55 Joy of Writing
22:41 Don't Stop
27:03 What's a Serial?
35:03 Structuring a Serial
39:33 Serial Length
42:10 Keeping Serials Fresh
44:35 Ream & Subscription Tiers
50:17 Avoiding Burnout with Subscriptions
53:25 Subscriptions for Discovery Writers
56:09 Importance of Community

Transcript:

https://wishidknownforwriters.com/189-2/

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians

📥 Send us a Text Message

Support the show

Selling Wide, Selling Direct, and Disengaging from Social Media with Cadence Keys Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

Episode 188 / Contemporary romance author Cadence Keys has only been publishing for a few years. She describes how she's found success publishing wide and selling directly to readers.

We also delve into the topic of setting back from social media, something Cadence has chosen to do. Instead of using the social platforms, she’s investing in her newsletter and in her Ream subscribers.

https://www.cadencekeysauthor.com

Links mentioned:

https://heartbreathings.teachable.com/p/hb90-bootcamp

Ream

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Time Stamps:

0:28 Introduction
9:26 Cadence's Bio
12:19 Definition of Success
13:14 Integration of timelines & rewriting
16:16 Opting out of Social Media
18:36 False assumptions
22:41 Cadence on the Comparison Game
24:38 Connecting to readers through Direct Sales
26:05 Various Direct Sales platforms
30:53 Pivoting & Direct Sales Bundles
33:08 Klavio and Sequences
38:43 Time Management
41:48 Ream
47:08 Set up for Success

Transcript:

https://wishidknownforwriters.com/188-2/

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians

📥 Send us a Text Message

Support the show

How to Know When You Need Outside Help with Jami Albright Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

Episode 187 / Do you need help with your branding, ad copy, or writing career strategy? Do you have questions or ideas that you’d like to brainstorm with another author about? Jami has helped many authors with everything from overwhelm to sales pages to branding.

Jami shares the questions and topics that come up most often, the common mistakes she sees, and tips on when it’s time to ask for help. We talk about making money as an author, series creation, pen names, newsletter building, launching and much more.

Author website: JamiAlbright.com/authorservices

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Time Stamps:

0:05 Introduction
10:54 Supporter Chat
12:05 Jami's Consulting
14:54 Who can Jami help
21:33 Should you go full time?
27:19 When should you get help?
28:18 Common issues
37:31 Amazon Sales Pages
44:11 Author Websites

Transcript:

https://wishidknownforwriters.com/187-2/

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians

📥 Send us a Text Message

Support the show

Selling Direct at In-Person Events with Lisa Bouchard Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

Episode 186 / Would you like another stream of income that doesn’t involve ads or writing new content? In-person events like craft fairs and farmer’s markets might be a good option for you. Lisa Bourchard is a paranormal cozy mystery author who sells direct to readers at local events and shares her tips and lessons learned for in-person events.

Author website: LisaBouchard.com

Lisa’s schedule: https://lisabouchard.com/meet-lisa/

💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support

Time Stamps:

Transcript:

More links:

🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ 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

Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians