The Business of Writing with Scott Nicholson
International bestselling author Scott Nicholson knows a thing or two about the business of writing. With experience in both the traditional and independent publishing worlds as well as the overseas market, he is able to make his already thrilling reads even more appealing by clever use of advertising and market knowledge. Nicholson has written over a hundred thrillers and short stories and has sold millions of copies worldwide. He is most known for his Sheriff Littlefield series, centered around the chilling mystery of a haunted Appalachian church. Scott’s latest addition to the series, McFall, is available now.
From Amazon.com:
I’ve written more than 30 novels, about 80 short stories, four children’s books, some comic books, screenplays, and a couple of non-fiction books, as well as five collaborations with J.R. Rain. Many of my tales are based on supernatural legends from the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and I also write mystery and suspense thrillers that are most often compared to the work of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I’ve branched into dark science fiction with my After, Next, and MIM*X series.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to step into the self-publishing world
- How to build a sustainable career as an author
- How to advertise to foreign markets
- The philosophy behind paid advertising
- The importance of a newsletter or mailing list
- The importance of retaining uniqueness
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Scott Nicholson – http://www.authorscottnicholson.com/
McFall by Scott Nicholson – https://books2read.com/McFall
The Red Church by Scott Nicholson – https://books2read.com/RedChurch
Save Indie Bookstores – https://www.saveindiebookstores.com
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mastering the Creative Process with David Baldacci
David Baldacci has mastered the creative process. By employing what he knows about plausible plot lines, character development, and field research, he can bring his ideas together into books that feel amazingly believable. Baldacci is a bestselling author who has sold more than 130 million books worldwide. He is most known for his political thriller, Absolute Power, which follows the captivating tale of a murder in the White House. David’s most recent publication, Walk the Wire, is available now.
From Amazon.com:
David published his first novel, ABSOLUTE POWER, in 1996. A feature film followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 37 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries, with over 130 million worldwide sales. David has also published six novels for younger readers.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to develop a character throughout a series
- The importance of constructive criticism
- How to distill research into a story
- How to use the Writer’s Prism
- The difference between probability and plausibility
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
David Baldacci – https://www.davidbaldacci.com/
Walk the Wire by David Baldacci – https://books2read.com/WalkTheWire
Absolute Power by David Baldacci – https://books2read.com/AbsolutePower
David Baldacci’s MasterClass – https://www.masterclass.com/classes/david-baldacci-teaches-mystery-and-thriller-writing
Save Indie Bookstores – https://www.saveindiebookstores.com
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Beating Resistance with Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne
Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne are strong believers in beating resistance and chasing crazy ideas. Whether it involves writing about something completely foreign to you or something too edgy for commercial readers, both agree that sticking with your most outlandish ideas will lead to better, more fulfilling writing. Pressfield and Coyne are both masterful bestselling authors. Pressfield is most-known for The Legend of Bagger Vance, a compelling sports mystery that was adapted into a film featuring Will Smith and Matt Damon. Coyne is most-known for Story Grid, a revolutionary editing tool and writing group that has helped writers around the world produce better content.
From Amazon.com:
Steven Pressfield is the author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Last of the Amazons, Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The Profession, The Lion’s Gate, The War of Art, Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Warrior Ethos, The Authentic Swing, An American Jew, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, The Knowledge, and The Artist’s Journey.
From StoryGrid.com:
I (Shawn Coyne) have been in the publishing industry for thirty years now, twenty-five of which were spent working as an editor at the Big Five publishing houses, as an independent publisher, as a literary agent both at a major Hollywood talent agency and as the head of Genre Management Inc. In early 2015, I published The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know, and later that year I started the Story Grid Podcast with writer, and book marketing expert, Tim Grahl. The rest is history. We now have 45 Certified Story Grid Editors, 3 podcasts, a blog rich with story resources, a suite of courses and a community that continues to grow.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to determine if an idea is crazy
- Why to pick the idea you’re most afraid of
- How to make difficult creative decisions
- The importance of a day-by-day approach to projects
- How to accept failure
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Steven Pressfield – https://stevenpressfield.com/
Black Irish Books – https://blackirishbooks.com/jabs/
The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield – https://books2read.com/BaggerVance
Shawn Coyne – https://storygrid.com/about/
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne – https://books2read.com/SG
The Story Grid Guild – https://storygrid.com/guild
Save Indie Bookstores – https://www.saveindiebookstores.com
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Transitioning Between Careers with Romona Robinson
Romona Robinson knows a thing or two about successfully transitioning between careers. After working as one of Cleveland’s most respected news anchors for over thirty years, she took a leap of faith when she left her job to write full-time. Backed by passion, hard work, and smart marketing, Romona was able to publish two successful books in her first two years of writing and continues to inspire women and men everywhere to find their purpose. Her latest publication, Your Voice is Your Power, is available now.
From Amazon.com:
Romona Robinson is an eight time Emmy award winning anchor, speaker and author of A Dirt Road to Somewhere and Your Voice is Your Power. She is one of the most respected and admired journalists in northeast Ohio and was inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland’s Journalism Hall of Fame in 2016. She is winner of the prestigious Edward R Murrow Award along with her station, WOIO-TV 19, where she served as primary anchor. She received the 2017 Alpha Woman Award, given to women who exemplify power in their field and uses it to empower women.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How Romona found her passion for writing
- How to start a career as an author
- Why community engagement is important
- The importance of timed advertising
- How to overcome the fear of failure
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Romona Robinson – http://romonarobinson.com/
A Dirt Road to Somewhere by Romona Robinson – https://books2read.com/DirtRoadToSomewhere
Your Voice is Your Power by Romona Robinson – https://books2read.com/YourVoiceIsYourPower
Save Indie Bookstores – https://www.saveindiebookstores.com
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Author-Agent Relationships with Alec Shane
Alec Shane has been fostering authentic author-agent relationships since 2012. Whether he is mediating disputes between authors and editors or selling books to publishers, Alec and others like him serve as the backbone of the writing industry. During his time at Writers House, Shane has worked with many successful authors and groups, including Mark Stein, Mike Thomas, and the Horror Writers Association. For submissions and queries, Alec can be reached at ashane@writershouse.com.
From ManuscriptWishlist.com:
Alec Shane majored in English at Brown University, a degree he put to immediate use by moving to Los Angeles after graduation to become a professional stunt man. Realizing that he prefers books to breakaway glass, he moved to New York City in 2008 to pursue a career in publishing. Alec quickly found a home at Writers House Literary Agency and is now aggressively building his own list.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How Alec became an agent
- What agents look for in authors
- How to pitch your book to an agency or publisher
- If traditional or independent publishing is right for you
- Why horror is making a resurgence
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Alec Shane – https://twitter.com/alecdshane
Submissions and Queries – ashane@writershouse.com
Save Indie Bookstores – https://www.saveindiebookstores.com
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Captivating Readers with James Rollins
James Rollins has been captivating readers for decades. By running ideas past his critique group, traveling to story locations and speaking to locals, and sticking to a ninety-day research plan, he attains enough knowledge to create settings and storylines that feel authentic. Rollins is well-known for his bestselling Sigma Force series, a thrilling collection of tales following the strange and somewhat otherworldly encounters of an elite covert operations force. His brand-new fantasy series, Moon Fall, will be released next year.
From Amazon.com:
James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages, with more than 20 million copies sold. The New York Times says, “Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together,” and NPR calls his work “Adventurous and enormously engrossing.” Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets–and does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning suspense. A practicing veterinarian, Rollins has pursued scuba, spelunking, and other adventures around the world, and currently lives and writes in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How Rollins structures his research
- Rollins’ story building tools
- The importance of critique groups
- How to employ sympathy builders
- The magic formula to capture a reader
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
James Rollins – https://jamesrollins.com/
James Rollins’ Tips For Writers: https://jamesrollins.com/about/tips-for-writers/
Sandstorm by James Rollins – https://books2read.com/SandstormJamesRollins
The Last Odyssey by James Rollins – https://amzn.to/2QQjTe6
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Writing for an Audience with Jeffery Deaver
Jeffery Deaver knows how to write for an audience. By listening to comments, critiques, and making smart compromises, Deaver crafts the story he wants while appealing to his readers. As an international bestseller, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Novel of the Year, and Edgar Award, and author of over thirty-five novels, he is a respected member of the writing community. He is well-known for his Colter Shaw and Lincoln Rhyme novels, two chilling mystery series. Jeffery’s next novel, The Goodbye Man, will be available this May.
From Amazon.com:
The author of thirty-four novels, Deaver has been nominated for seven Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America, an Anthony award, a Gumshoe Award, and is a three-time recipient of the Ellery Queen Reader’s Award for Best Short Story of the Year. In 2001, he won the W.H. Smith Thumping Good Read Award for his Lincoln Rhyme novel The Empty Chair. In 2004, he was awarded the Crime Writers Association of Great Britain’s Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for Garden Of Beasts and the Short Story Dagger for “The Weekender.” Translated into 35 languages, his novels have appeared on a number of bestseller lists around the world, including the New York Times, the London Times and the Los Angeles Times. The Bone Collector was a feature release from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington as Lincoln Rhyme. A Maiden’s Grave was made into an HBO film retitled Dead Silence, starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to utilize the “Mint Toothpaste” test
- How to reuse old characters
- Why to outline a book
- How to keep a reader engaged
- How to grow in today’s writing climate
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Jeffery Deaver – https://www.jefferydeaver.com/
The Goodbye Man by Jeffery Deaver – https://www.jefferydeaver.com/novel/the-goodbye-man/
The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver – https://books2read.com/thenevergame
Three Story Method by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://books2read.com/threestorymethod
Three Story Method Workbook by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://amzn.to/37SAR1a
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Fostering Positive Change with Kathy Reichs
Kathy Reichs is a master of fostering positive change in her life. Whether she’s balancing forensics cases with teaching at university or completely reinventing a series, Reichs never misses an opportunity to better her writing through growth-oriented experiences. She is well known for her bestselling Temperance Brennan novels, a series following the chilling experiences of a forensic anthropologist. Her novels were adapted into the popular crime drama, Bones, which aired on FOX for twelve seasons. Kathy’s newest book, A Conspiracy of Bones, is to be published this week.
From Amazon.com:
Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead catapulted her to fame when it became a New York Times bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel. Her other Temperance Brennan novels include Death du Jour, Deadly Décisions, Fatal Voyage, Grave Secrets, Bare Bones, Monday Mourning, Cross Bones, Break No Bones, Bones to Ashes, Devil Bones, 206 Bones, Spider Bones, Flash and Bones, Bones Are Forever, Bones of the Lost, Bones Never Lie, Speaking in Bones and the Temperance Brennan short story collection, The Bone Collection. In addition, Kathy co-authors the Virals young adult series with her son, Brendan Reichs. The best-selling titles are: Virals, Seizure, Code, Exposure, and Terminal along with two Virals e-novellas, Shift and Swipe. These books follow the adventures of Temperance Brennan’s great niece, Tory Brennan. Dr. Reichs is also a producer of the hit Fox TV series, Bones, which is based on her work and her novels.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The importance of growth-oriented change
- How to find unique ways to reintroduce characters
- How to craft stories from career experiences
- Why to write for yourself
- How to write with kids or a job
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Kathy Reichs – https://kathyreichs.com/
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs – https://books2read.com/ConspiracyOfBones
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs – https://www.amazon.com/Deja-Dead-Novel-Temperance-Brennan/dp/1501122118
Three Story Method by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://books2read.com/threestorymethod
Three Story Method Workbook by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://amzn.to/37SAR1a
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Crafting Cinematic Scenes with Blake Crouch
Blake Crouch excels at crafting cinematic scenes. Through the manipulation of memory and reality along with the infusion of self-experience, Crouch creates scenes that feel both surreal and believable. He is well known for his bestselling Wayward Pines Trilogy, which became a top-rated TV series. He has published more than a dozen other novels and has had work in various publications, including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Blake is currently adapting his bestselling thriller, Dark Matter, for the big screen while Shonda Rimes and Matt Reeves are bringing Recursion to Netflix.
From Amazon.com:
Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. His novels include the New York Times bestseller Dark Matter, and the internationally bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy, which was adapted into a television series for FOX. Crouch also created the TNT show Good Behavior, based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. His latest book is Recursion, a sci-fi thriller about memory, and will be published in June 2019. He lives in Colorado.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to utilize nostalgia in your story
- How to integrate self-experience into a scene
- How to rethink a saturated genre
- Why to save cut scenes
- How to balanced planned and improvised writing
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Blake Crouch – http://blakecrouch.com/
Recursion by Blake Crouch – https://books2read.com/RecursionNovel
Pines (Book 1 of Wayward Pines) by Blake Crouch – https://books2read.com/Pines
Three Story Method by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://books2read.com/threestorymethod
Three Story Method Workbook by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://amzn.to/37SAR1a
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
“Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen – https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Tapping Into Your Reader’s Emotions with Chuck Palahniuk
Chuck Palahniuk is a master at tapping into his readers’ emotions. Whether through sympathetic attachment, comedic relief, or intense realism, Palahniuk manipulates emotion to create breathtaking novels that engage his readers throughout the entire story. He is most well-known for his debut novel, Fight Club, a dark satire following the thrilling story of an office worker with insomnia as he falls into insanity. After Fight Club’s success, Chuck continued creating captivating and award-winning stories, including Choke, Lullaby, and Guts. His most recent work of nonfiction, Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life after Which Everything Was Different, is available now.
From Amazon.com:
Chuck Palahniuk’s novels are the bestselling Fight Club, which was made into a film by director David Fincher, Diary, Lullaby, Survivor, Haunted, and Invisible Monsters. Portions of Choke have appeared in Playboy, and Palahniuk’s nonfiction work has been published by Gear, Black Book, The Stranger, and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to capture your reader’s emotions
- How to make your characters liked or respected
- How to employ cognitive reframing in your writing
- How to transition well between scenes
- Why to join a writing workshop
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Chuck Palahniuk – https://chuckpalahniuk.net/
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk – https://books2read.com/FightClub
Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life after Which Everything Was Different by Chuck Palahniuk – https://books2read.com/ConsiderThis
Three Story Method by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://books2read.com/threestorymethod
Three Story Method Workbook by J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon – https://amzn.to/37SAR1a
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Becoming a Successful Author as a Stay-at-Home Mom with Mercedes Yardley
Mercedes Yardley knows how to become a successful author as a stay-at-home mom. With a husband working and a child requiring special needs, Yardley took up writing as an emotional outlet, and her thrilling style soon became recognized. She won the Bram Stoker Award in 2015 for her psychological horror novella, Little Dead Red, and wrote the Stabby Award-winning Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love. She is also a member of the Horror Writers Association and co-chair of the Las Vegas HWA Chapter. Mercedes currently lives in Las Vegas with her family and rescue animals.
From Amazon.com:
Mercedes M. Yardley is a whimsical dark fantasist who wears poisonous flowers in her hair. She is the author of many diverse works, including Beautiful Sorrows, Pretty Little Dead Girls: A Novel of Murder and Whimsy, and the Stabby Award-winning Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love.
She recently won the prestigious Bram Stoker Award for her realistic horror story Little Dead Red and was a Bram Stoker finalist for her short story “Loving You Darkly.” Mercedes lives and creates in Las Vegas with her family and menagerie of battle-scarred, rescued animal familiars. She is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin and Fountain Literary Management.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How Mercedes writes while taking care of her child
- Why writing is a great emotional outlet
- How to adapt to an irregular work day
- If hiring an administrative team is right for you
- How to achieve the optimal writer’s headspace
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Mercedes Yardley – https://mercedesmyardley.com/
Little Dead Red by Mercedes Yardley – https://books2read.com/littledeadred
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love by Mercedes Yardley – https://books2read.com/atomiclove
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Taking Advantage of Opportunity with Meg Gardiner
Meg Gardiner knows how to take advantage of opportunity. After reading Stephen King’s column in Entertainment Weekly, Meg saw her name in his recommendation and her career has soared since but not without hard work and strong writing. Gardiner’s newest book in the UNSUB series has been acquired by Amazon and she is attached as a producer. Her latest book in the series, The Dark Corners of the Night, is out now and it is the story that will be created for Amazon’s streaming service.
From Amazon.com:
Meg Gardiner is the author of fifteen thrillers. Her latest is The Dark Corners of the Night, the third novel in the UNSUB series featuring FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix. Stephen King says, “Don’t miss it. This is a great one.” It’s been bought by Amazon Studios for development as a television series. The first novel in the series, UNSUB, won the 2018 Barry Award for Best Thriller.
Meg was born in Oklahoma and raised in Santa Barbara, California. A graduate of Stanford Law School, she practiced law in Los Angeles and taught writing at the University of California Santa Barbara. She’s also a three-time Jeopardy! champion. She lives in Austin, Texas.
Meg is the author of the Evan Delaney series, the Jo Beckett novels, and several stand alones. China Lake won the 2009 Edgar award for Best Paperback Original. The Nightmare Thief won the 2012 Audie Award for Thriller/Suspense audiobook of the year. Phantom Instinct was one of O, the Oprah magazine’s “Best Books of Summer.”
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why persistence pays off
- How to be ready when opportunity arises
- Why there are many paths to publication
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Meg Gardiner – http://meggardiner.com/
Dark Corners of the Night by Meg Gardiner – https://books2read.com/darkcorners
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Creating a Magazine and Brand with Richard Chizmar
Greatly influenced by his DIY attitude, Richard Chizmar built a successful magazine and brand from scratch. Chizmar is a bestselling author and founder of Cemetery Dance magazine. He has written various novels, screenplays, and teleplays, including Gwendy’s Button Box, a bestselling novella, with Stephen King. Richard also works as an editor, with his work appearing in over thirty-five anthologies.
From Amazon.com:
Richard Chizmar is the author of Gwendy’s Button Box (with Stephen King) and A Long December, which was nominated for numerous awards. His fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and multiple editions of The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award. His third short story collection, A Long December, was recently published to starred reviews in both Kirkus and Booklist, and was featured in Entertainment Weekly. Chizmar’s work has been translated into many languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor. Please visit the author’s website at RichardChizmar.com.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to start a DIY magazine
- Why every magazine needs a VIP list and a mailing list
- Which authors to publish in your magazine
- How to create work that stands out
- How to run a business as a non-businessperson
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Richard Chizmar – https://richardchizmar.com
Cemetery Dance Magazine – https://www.cemeterydance.com
Gwendy’s Button Box by Richard Chizmar and Stephen King – https://books2read.com/GwendysNovella
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Thriving with Asperger Syndrome and a Manuscript Update
Despite being diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome as a young man, J.D. continues to thrive while challenging all stereotypes and stigmas. In fact, Barker has become an international bestselling author and millionaire. The emphasis AS puts on structure has given him a unique approach to outlining his writing and creating interesting character backstories. By pursuing a career that compliments a disorder, J.D shows that anyone can be successful. In the second half of the episode, J. talks through the next steps of his manuscript with J.D.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How J.D. uses Asperger’s to his advantage
- Which careers suit a disorder
- The importance of getting a correct diagnosis
- Why good stories have outlines
- How J.D. creates lifelike characters
- An update on J.’s manuscript project
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
The Importance of Passion and Perseverance with James Patterson
James Patterson knows the importance of passion and perseverance when it comes to a career as a writer. He is the bestselling author with 147 published novels, 114 of which made the New York Times bestsellers list, and he holds the Guinness World Record for most #1 New York Times bestsellers. His classic thriller, Along Came a Spider, inspired twenty-five sequels and a film adaptation starring Morgan Freeman. James also runs The Patterson Family Foundation and the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarships.
From Amazon.com:
James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author, best known for his many enduring fictional characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett, Maximum Ride, Middle School, I Funny, and Jacky Ha-Ha. Patterson’s writing career is characterized by a single mission: to prove to everyone, from children to adults, that there is no such thing as a person who “doesn’t like to read,” only people who haven’t found the right book. He’s given over a million books to schoolkids and over forty million dollars to support education, and endowed over five thousand college scholarships for teachers. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family. Learn more at jamespatterson.com.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How James Patterson structures his stories
- Why every story needs an outline
- Why successful authors are innovators
- Why a great book is its own best ad
- How to be more aware of your readers’ needs
- The amazing work of The Patterson Family Foundation
Links:
James Patterson – https://www.jamespatterson.com/
James Patterson Masterclass – https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=963720&u=2285884&m=62509&urllink=&afftrack=
Along Came a Spider by James Patterson – https://books2read.com/AlongCameASpider
The Patterson Family Foundation – https://www.thepattersonfoundation.org/
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Designing a Career as an Authorpreneur with Joanna Penn
Joanna Penn spent the last ten years designing a career as an authorpreneur. As a self-published author, business owner, and podcaster, she thrives on self-investment and brand recognition. Penn is most known for her international and award-winning podcast, The Creative Penn. She has written many titles for independent writers including How To Market a Book and Successful Self-Publishing. In addition, Joanna publishes a unique brand of dark fiction under the name J.F. Penn. When she isn’t writing, she runs Curl Up Press and speaks professionally around the world.
From Amazon.com:
Joanna Penn is a bestselling author, international speaker and award-winning entrepreneur based in Bath, England. Her site, www.TheCreativePenn.com helps authors with creativity, writing, publishing, book marketing and creative entrepreneurship. It has been voted one of the top 100 sites for authors by Writers Digest. Joanna has a popular podcast, The Creative Penn, and a YouTube Channel.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to find an enjoyable career
- How to establish a brand
- Why time comes before money
- How to scale a product
- Why to invest in yourself
Links:
Joanna Penn – https://jfpenn.com/
The Creative Penn Podcast – https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
Books and Travel Podcast – https://www.booksandtravel.page/listen/
Successful Self-Publishing by Joanna Penn – https://books2read.com/PennSelfPublishing
How To Market a Book by Joanna Penn – https://books2read.com/HowToMarketABook
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Authentic Business Mindset with Chris Brogan
Chris Brogan has discovered an authentic business mindset. With his strong work ethic and low-stakes attitude, Brogan reaches his fullest potential as both an author and marketing consultant. He is known around the world for Trust Agents, a masterfully written guide to building a business. When he isn’t writing, Chris runs Owner Media Group, a business consulting agency.
From Amazon.com:
Chris Brogan is CEO of Owner Media Group , providing strategy and skills for the modern business. He is also a highly sought after professional speaker and the New York Times bestselling author of nine books and counting. His latest is called Find Your Writing Voice. Chris has spoken for or consulted with the biggest brands you know, including Disney, Coke, Google, GM, Microsoft, Coldwell Banker, Titleist, Scotts, Humana Health, Cisco, Sony USA, and many more. Forbes listed Chris as one of the Must Follow Marketing Minds of 2014, plus listed his website as one of the 100 best websites for entrepreneurs. Statsocial rated Chris the #3 power influencer online.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How to build a brand as an author
- Why to value failure
- How work ethic makes or breaks authors
- When to republish a book
- The importance of a tidy newsletter
- Why YouTube is great for writers
Links:
Chris Brogan – https://chrisbrogan.com/
Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith – https://books2read.com/TrustAgents
Owner Media Group – https://owner.media/
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Work-Life Balance with Paul Tremblay
Paul Tremblay has mastered work-life balance as an educator and published author. Through his day-to-day outlook and strong drive for self-advocating, Tremblay always finds what’s best for his career. His best-known novels include The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts, and many of his works have appeared in Year’s Best. When he is not writing, Paul teaches AP Calculus in Massachusetts.
From Amazon.com:
Paul Tremblay is the author of the Bram Stoker Award and Locus Award winning THE CABIN AT THE END OF THE WORLD, winner of the British Fantasy Award DISAPPEARANCE AT DEVIL’S ROCK, and Bram Stoker Award/Massachusetts Book Award winning A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS. A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS is in development with Focus Features. He’s also the author of the novels The Little Sleep, No Sleep till Wonderland, Swallowing a Donkey’s Eye, and Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn’t Fly (co-written with Stephen Graham Jones).
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The value of self-advocating
- How to write while working a day job
- How to reach a foreign market
- When to self-invest
- Why to write for yourself, not for money
Links:
Paul Tremblay – https://www.paultremblay.net/
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay – https://books2read.com/TheCabin
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay – https://books2read.com/HeadFullofGhosts
She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be by J.D. Barker – https://books2read.com/brokenthingbarker
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Writing Historical Horror with Alma Katsu
Alma Katsu is an expert at writing historical horror. Armed with her chilling writing style and an extensive knowledge of historical events, she adds a unique supernatural twist to the past. Alma is best known for her novels The Taker and The Hunger, the latter of which prompted a blurb from Stephen King on Twitter. Katsu worked in federal intelligence for most of her life and is currently a technology consultant.
From Amazon.com:
Ms. Katsu’s debut novel, The Taker, was selected by Booklist as one of the top 10 debut novels of 2011. She is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Writing Program and Brandeis University, where she studied with novelist John Irving, and an alumni of the Squaw Valley Writers Conference. Like many writers, she has a day job, too: for over 30 years, she was an intelligence analyst for the federal government and RAND, and is currently a consultant on emerging technology.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How Stephen King’s tweet changed Katsu’s career
- How Katsu crafts historically accurate thrillers
- The value of a great editor
- Why it’s important to make connections with other authors
- Why “getting published” isn’t validation
- How to find your unique voice
Links:
Alma Katsu – https://www.almakatsubooks.com/
The Taker (Book 1/3) – https://books2read.com/TheTaker
The Hunger – https://books2read.com/TheHunger
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Storytelling and the Creative Process with Josh Malerman
Josh Malerman has a unique approach to storytelling and the creative process. During the process of selling the rights to the Bird Box movie, Malerman learned the ins-and-outs of the entertainment industry. He even started his own production company. Josh toured the country for six years with his band, The High Strung, but has since taken a break to write and enjoy life with his wife in Michigan.
From Amazon.com:
Josh Malerman is an American author and also one of two singer/songwriters for the rock band The High Strung, whose song “The Luck You Got” can be heard as the theme song to the Showtime show “Shameless.” His book Bird Box is also currently being filmed as a feature film starring Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, and Sarah Paulson. Bird Box was also nominated for the Stoker Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the James Herbert Award. His books Black Mad Wheel and Goblin have also been nominated for Stoker Awards.
Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business – editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins.
Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How Bird Box changed Malerman’s career
- When to take calculated business risks
- Why every author needs a support group
- Why you shouldn’t save your best story ideas for later
- How to be fluid with story structure
- When and why to restart a draft
Links:
Josh Malerman – https://joshmalerman.com/
Bird Box (novel) – https://books2read.com/birdboxnovel
Bird Box (official trailer) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2AsIXSh2xo
The High Strung – https://thehighstrungmusic.com/
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.