Your backstage pass to the world’s most prolific authors

JD Barker
Christine Daigle
Kevin Tumlinson
Jena Brown

What does it take to succeed as a writer? Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson and Jena Brown as they pull back the curtain and gain rare insight from the household names found on bookshelves worldwide.

Want to ask your favorite author a question? Click here!

Pursuing Multiple Projects with Christopher Rice

Bestselling author Christopher Rice knows how to pursue multiple projects at once. By working on each project in different physical spaces and balancing the time spent on each, he breaks up the monotony of sticking to one book, makes himself more productive, and increases his writing and time management skills exponentially. Christopher is well-known for writing A Density of Souls, his bestselling debut novel, and Ramses The Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra, which he co-wrote with mother and fellow bestseller Anne Rice. He also runs The Dinner Party Show podcast with award-winning novelist Eric Shaw Quinn. His latest publication, Blood Victory, is available now.

From Amazon.com:

A New York Times bestseller since his first publication at the age of twenty-two, Christopher Rice is the author of BONE MUSIC (an Amazon Charts bestseller and the first novel in the Burning Girl series) and its sequel, BLOOD ECHO, as well as the Bram Stoker finalists THE HEAVENS RISE and THE VINES. BLOOD VICTORY, his third Burning Girl novel releases in August 2020. He is an executive producer on the television adaptation of The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, and he also collaborated with her on RAMSES THE DAMNED: THE PASSION OF CLEOPATRA, a sequel to her phenomenally popular novel THE MUMMY OR RAMSES THE DAMNED. Together with his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist, Eric Shaw Quinn, he runs the podcast and video network, TDPS, which you can find at www.TheDinnerPartyShow.com. Learn more about Christopher at www.christopherricebooks.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 powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, 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 Christopher learned to multitask when writing
  • Why the early stages of the creative process are non-linear
  • The importance of podcasting platforms to authors
  • Why every author needs a newsletter
  • What to know when writing with your mother

To send J.D. an ARC copy of your new book, make sure you have the title available in ebook, paperback, and audio. Then mail him a physical copy at:

J.D. Barker

P.O. Box 177

New Castle, NH 03854

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Christopher Rice – http://www.christopherricebooks.com/

A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice – https://mybook.to/densityofsouls

Blood Victory by Christopher Rice https://mybook.to/bloodvictory

Upstairs Inferno Starring Christopher Rice – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3088882/

The Dinner Party Show – http://thedinnerpartyshow.com/

Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life – https://kobowritinglife.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.

Gaining Exposure with Publicist Mickey Mikkelson

Publicist Mickey Mikkelson specializes in gaining exposure and brand recognition. Using his independent firm, Creative Edge, he teaches indie authors around the world how to market their books, foster their own reader communities, and build sustainable brands. Mickey has worked in PR for almost five years and has helped bestselling authors like Tosca Lee and Robert J. Sawyer gain publicity. In addition to running Creative Edge, he is a regular collaborator with TopShelf, a popular must-read magazine for booksellers and authors that focuses on promoting and publishing. To contact Mikkelson, follow the link below.

From Creative-Edge.services:

“​At Creative Edge, we are a Team and a Community. The entire organization believes strongly in collaboration, the authors, myself, and the key partnerships we have developed. I am passionate about working in conjunction with my clients and finding innovative and creative ways to ensure that each represented client has promotional and marketing success.” -Mickey Mikkelson

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 powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, 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 Mickey started Creative Edge
  • When to seek out a publicist
  • Why publicity doesn’t always equate to sales
  • The importance of having a “vision” for your book
  • Differences between short-term and long-term growth

Links:

An Important Letter from The Authors Guild – https://www.authorsguild.org/who-we-are/letter-president/

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Mickey Mikkelson – https://www.creative-edge.services/contact.html

Creative Edge – https://www.creative-edge.services/

TopShelf https://topshelfmagazine.net/index.php/magazine

Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life – https://kobowritinglife.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.

Designing the Perfect Cover with Books Covered’s Stuart Bache

Stuart Bache has some tips for designing the perfect cover. As a professional cover artist, he helps traditional and indie authors around the world create covers that are visually appetizing, clearly represent the book’s genre and message, and market themselves well to potential readers. Stuart has been in the field for over a decade and has worked with Mark Dawson, Stephen King, and other big-name authors. He has a number of online resources, including his Books Covered design service and a mini-course on Self Publishing Formula. His book, The Author’s Guide to Cover Design, is also available below.

From Amazon.com:

With well over a decade of experience in both traditional and independent publishing, Stuart Bache started his career as a Junior Designer for Hodder & Stoughton, worked as Senior Designer for Puffin Books and HarperCollins, and was Art Director of Oneworld Publications. He has worked across every major genre for a whole host of publishers and authors, including Mark Dawson, Stephen King, John le Carré, S. K. Tremayne and the Tolkien Estate. Stuart is now the Art Director and founder of Books Covered, where he continues to create market-leading book covers for authors, agents and publishers.

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 powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, 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 Books Covered was formed
  • Why more indie authors are caring about their covers
  • How to formulate research into a design
  • The importance of strategically marketing your cover
  • How to compromise with a cover designer

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Stuart Bache – https://stuartbache.co.uk

Books Covered – https://www.bookscovered.co.uk

Cover Design for Authors Course https://selfpublishingformula.com/design

The Author’s Guide to Cover Design  by Stuart Bache – https://mybook.to/coverdesign

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.

Finding Mindfulness as a Writer with Seth Godin

Bestseller Seth Godin has unlocked the secrets to finding mindfulness as a writer. Through various publications, workshops, and podcasts, he sheds light on mental concepts often overlooked in pursuit of a professional career and preaches the ideas of beating resistance, accepting genre, disregarding authenticity, and choosing passion rather than chasing it. Seth is a renowned author and entrepreneur with nineteen bestselling books and guides, an internationally recognized blog, and a spot in the Marketing Hall of Fame. His latest book, The Practice: Shipping Creative Work, will be available tomorrow.

From Amazon.com:

Seth Godin is the author of nineteen international bestsellers that have been translated into over 35 languages, and have changed the way people think about marketing and work. For a long time, Unleashing the Ideavirus was the most popular ebook ever published, and Purple Cow is the bestselling marketing book of the decade. He’s a recent inductee to the Marketing Hall of Fame, and also a member of the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame and (go figure), the Guerrilla Marketing Hall of Fame.

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 powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, 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 Seth beats resistance
  • Why to choose passion rather than chase it
  • The importance of defining your genre
  • Why authenticity is a lie
  • How to push through “the dip”

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Seth Godin – https://www.sethgodin.com/

The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin – https://mybook.to/thepractice

Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin – https://mybook.to/purplecow

This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin – https://mybook.to/thisismarketing

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.

Rounding Up Reviews with Chanticleer’s Kiffer Brown

Since creating Chanticleer Book Reviews in 2010, Kiffer Brown has provided thousands of authors with the exceptional reviews integral to the success of any book. Her services include editorial reviews, manuscript reviews, and peer reviews, which help writers structure their story, earn community appraisal, and expand sales on Amazon. Kiffer has worked in book marketing for over a decade and is involved in a plethora of local and national writing groups, hosts several writing conferences and book conventions, and has connections with authors around the world. To have Kiffer review your book or manuscript, visit chantireviews.com/services.

From WritersWin.com:

Media scout for literary agents, publishing houses,  movie producers, and industry professionals, along with folks seeking a good read, Kiffer Brown is known for her instinct of picking winners. Reader Extraordinaire, she reads thousands of works a year searching for today’s sparkling gems that will become tomorrow’s best sellers. She truly loves what she does and her passion shows.Kiffer is also the founder ofChanticleer Book Reviews & Media. CBRM Discovers Today’s Best Books with Editorial Reviews and International Writing Competitions. In addition to running a professional editorial review service,  she is the president of Whatcom Writers and Publishers, Salish Sea League of Writers board member, Upstart Crows Writers Assoc. founder, and member of Western Washington University’s publishing curriculum’s advisory board. She presents at numerous writers conferences and book conventions.

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 powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, 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 Chanticleer was created
  • Why a good review will make or break your book
  • The importance of gaining appraisal from fellow authors
  • The difference between editorial, manuscript, peer, and consumer reviews
  • The biggest mistake most authors make during the review process

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Kiffer Brown – https://writerswin.com/kiffer-brown/

Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media – https://www.chantireviews.com/services/

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.

Keeping Bookstores Alive with Tom Holbrook

Tom Holbrook has been keeping bookstores alive since 2002, when he opened RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. By showcasing a variety of indie books, helping aspiring writers edit and sell their work, and hosting book signings and other events for smaller authors, Tom has made a healthy impact on his local indie scene and has kept the spirit of physical books alive in a world that is becoming increasingly virtual. Over nearly two decades of owning a bookstore, he has also written a few books of his own and has helped local indie authors publish many more. Fortunately, RiverRun has stood strong through the pandemic, a historically tough time for small businesses, and remains a staple of Portsmouth.

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 Tom created RiverRun
  • Why audiobooks aren’t as profitable for bookstores
  • Why bookstores need to have “extras”
  • The importance of assisting local indie authors
  • How COVID has affected indie stores and writers

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Tom Holbrook – riverrunbookstore@gmail.com

RiverRun Bookstore – https://riverrunbookstore.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.

Accurately Depicting Law Enforcement with Patrick O’Donnell

Former cop Patrick O’Donnell is dedicated to helping writers accurately depict local PD in their books and novels. In his informational series, Cops and Writers: From The Academy to The Street, Patrick teaches authors about the fundamentals of a crime scene, the departmental ranking system, and a variety of small but important details for making your cops come to life. O’Donnell recently retired after serving in Chicago and Wisconsin for twenty-five years and is now focusing on building his website, copsandwriters.com, and continuing to grow his aforementioned series. To join his Facebook group, an awesome online resource with accomplished authors and other former cops answering the genre’s biggest questions, follow the link below.

From CopsandWriters.com:

Looking to add an authentic edge to your crime fiction? Ride along with me, a real-life sergeant to give your story the accuracy your readers crave. My name is Patrick O’Donnell, and I’ve been with a large metropolitan police department for the last twenty-four years, seventeen of those as a street sergeant. That means I’ve been a supervisor on the street for the bulk of my career. The city I work in has a population of about 600,000 people who are policed by about 1,800 sworn members, give or take a few hundred. I’m also an author of fiction and non-fiction books. I do understand the unique author point of view and can see through your writer’s eyes. Ride along with me, Sergeant O’Donnell for the law enforcement details that will give your story street cred.

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 O’Donnell became a cop
  • His craziest true crime stories
  • What authors get wrong about cops
  • The differences between the PD and PIs
  • The various ranks of a police department

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Patrick O’Donnell – https://www.copsandwriters.com/

Cops and Writers: From The Academy to The Street by Patrick O’Donnell – https://mybook.to/copsandwriters

Cops and Writers Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters/

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 Crime with the FBI’s Betsy Glick

Betsy Glick can help you write the perfect crime novel. Through an accessible and free author program, Betsy and her team work to provide authors with declassified info, public documents, connections to local offices, and interviews with retired agents in an effort to craft the most accurate stories possible. Glick works in the Office of Public Affairs and has been with the FBI for over fifteen years. In addition to helping writers, her office works with hundreds of TV and movie producers every year and has aided in the production of Quantico, Mindhunter, and many more shows and films. Their latest documentary project, The FBI Declassified, premieres this month. If you’re interested in bringing your next book to Betsy and her office, contact her via email.

From Personal Bio:

Glick works with screenwriters, authors, producers and other media associated with television programs, documentaries, made-for-TV movies, books, motion pictures and special projects, to help foster authenticity about the FBI. She recently organized a “Writing G-Man Stories Rooted in Reality” workshop for novelists attending the International Thriller Writers annual gathering in Manhattan. The FBI public service announcements she created for Internet Crime, Child ID App, Active Shooter, and the Most Wanted program with CBS have reached 130 million+ viewers since 2018, according to Nielsen.

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:

  • Betsy’s funniest FBI moment
  • How you can contact her office
  • What makes a crime novel accurate
  • The common FBI myths that every crime writer should know
  • Why truth is sometimes stranger than fiction

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Betsy Glick – https://www.linkedin.com/in/petsketcherandmediafetcher

FBI page for writers – https://www.fbi.gov/portrayals

The FBI Declassified Teaser – https://www.cbsnews.com/video/news-series-the-fbi-declassified/

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.

The Advantages of Co-Writing with Tosca Lee

Bestselling author Tosca Lee has taken full advantage of the co-writing process. Through writing with various partners, she’s proven that co-writing is a great way to expand your readership, revitalize your voice, and learn key new skills, and that it is an essential challenge for all successful authors to conquer. Tosca has published a diverse set of thriller and historical novels and is well-known for The Line Between, The House of Bathory duology, and the Books of Mortals series, which she co-wrote with fellow bestseller Ted Dekker. Her sequel to The Line Between, A Single Light, is available now.

From Amazon.com:

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels including A SINGLE LIGHT, THE LINE BETWEEN, THE PROGENY, THE LEGEND OF SHEBA, ISCARIOT, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker. Her work has been translated into seventeen languages and been optioned for TV and film. A notorious night-owl, she loves movies, playing football with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband.

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 Tosca met Ted Dekker
  • Helpful tips for finding a co-writer
  • Why historical writers need to research extensively
  • Why you should be active in reading groups
  • How speaking engagements can boost your readership

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Tosca Lee – https://toscalee.com/

The Line Between by Tosca Lee – https://mybook.to/linebetween

A Single Light by Tosca Lee – https://mybook.to/singlelight

Forbidden (Books of Mortals Book 1) by Tosca Lee and Ted Dekker – https://mybook.to/forbiddenbook

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.

Becoming More Than Just an Author with Jessica Brody

Jessica Brody knows what it means to be more than just an author. From hosting writing workshops at high schools around America and creating the Writing Mastery Academy to adapting Blake Snyder’s screenwriting guide for novelists, she has maximized her potential as an Authorpreneur and stands out as an engaged and helpful member of the writing community. Jessica is well-known for her massively acclaimed Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need and her popular young adult series, System Divine. Her latest release, Between Burning Worlds, is available now.

From Amazon.com:

Jessica Brody is the author of more than 20 books for teens, tweens, and adults including Sky Without Stars, Between Burning Worlds, The Chaos of Standing Still, Better You Than Me, A Week of Mondays, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, and the Unremembered trilogy. She’s also the author of the Descendants: School of Secrets series, based on the hit Disney Channel original movie, Descendants, as well as the #1 bestselling novel-plotting guide, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel. Her books have been translated and published in over 23 countries and several have been optioned for film and television. She lives with her husband and three dogs near Portland, OR.

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 Jessica started speaking in schools
  • How to find success by writing-for-hire
  • The importance of a solid daily routine
  • The importance of structure to every story
  • Why to prioritize what’s most important to you

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Jessica Brody – https://www.jessicabrody.com/

Writing Mastery Academy – https://www.jessicabrody.com/online-writing-courses/

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody – http://mybook.to/SaveTheCatWrites

Between Burning Worlds by Jessica Brody – http://mybook.to/BetweenBurningWorlds

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 on Day One with T.W. Piperbrook

Bestseller T.W. Piperbrook knew little of writing on day one; coming from a corporate job, he had few connections in the industry and no idea how to market himself or adapt to his new lifestyle. Regardless, fueled by a childhood dream of becoming an author, he eventually gained a solid foothold in the indie market and learned many helpful tips along the way. T.W. is well-known for his post-apocalyptic Outage and The Ruins series, both of which showcase his unique dystopian style. Piperbrook’s latest release, Better Guns and Gardens: 12 Post-Apocalyptic and Horror Tales, is available now.

From Amazon.com:

T.W. Piperbrook lives in Connecticut with his wife, his son, and a Shih Tzu named Remy. He is the author of the CONTAMINATION series, the OUTAGE series, and co-author of THE LAST SURVIVORS, as well as the author of THE RUINS. In his former lives, he has worked as a claims adjuster, a touring musician, and a business systems analyst for a Fortune 500 company.

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 faith to a new author
  • Why every author needs a support system
  • How to decide which book/series to advertise
  • How audiobooks can expand your accessibility
  • How to maintain the writing mindset

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

T.W. Piperbrook – https://www.facebook.com/twpiperbrook/

Outage by T.W. Piperbrook – http://mybook.to/Outage

The Ruins by T.W. Piperbrook – http://mybook.to/TheRuins

Better Guns and Gardens by T.W. Piperbrook – http://mybook.to/BetterGunsGardens

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 Killer Hooks with Adam Croft

Adam Croft can write a killer hook. By crafting taglines that ask shocking, morality-challenging questions or demand the empathy of the reader, he is able to easily and effectively draw people to his books. Adam is a wildly successful independent author with over two million books sold worldwide. He took over the market in 2015 with his bestselling psychological thriller, Her Last Tomorrow, and again in 2017 with Only the Truth, which held the title of bestselling book in the world at the time. Croft’s upcoming release, On Borrowed Time, will be available this month.

From Amazon.com:

Adam Croft is one of the world’s biggest-selling authors of crime fiction and gripping psychological thrillers. His books are known for their quick pace, thrilling plots and believable characters, and have sold in more than 120 countries around the world. His books have topped the Amazon storewide chart seven times, and in February 2017 Amazon’s overall Author Rankings placed Adam as the most widely read author in the world, with J.K. Rowling in second place.

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 elements of a killer tagline
  • How to develop and maintain your readerbase
  • The importance of a mailing list
  • The importance of tracking sales data and trends
  • The pros and cons of starting a podcast

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Adam Croft – https://www.adamcroft.net/

Her Last Tomorrow by Adam Croft – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018ZCAI10/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i8

Only the Truth by Adam Croft – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DRRX6ZB/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p2_i2

On Borrowed Time by Adam Croft – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CVF78FW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

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.

Marketing Yourself as an Author with Joe Hart

Joe Hart knows how to market himself as an author. Armed with a drive to develop new connections, an acute attention to the importance of book covers and advertisements, and a watchful eye over new trends, he is able to sustain a successful brand while easily adapting to the ever-changing publishing market. Joe is a bestselling author of eleven novels and is well-known for The Last Girl and The River is Dark, two staples of his thrilling writing style. Hart’s latest release, I’ll Bring You Back, is available now.

From Amazon.com:

Joe Hart is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of eleven novels that include The River Is Dark, Obscura, and The Last Girl. When not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising, exploring the great outdoors, and watching movies with his family. For more information on his upcoming novels and access to his blog, visit www.joehartbooks.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:

  • The process of becoming a new writer
  • How to develop connections with other authors
  • How to find and connect with new readers
  • How to balance a day job with writing
  • The importance of noticing trends

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Joe Hart – http://www.joehartbooks.com/

The Last Girl by Joe Hart – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011UNEZN8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

The River is Dark by Joe Hart – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2EOONS/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3

I’ll Bring You Back by Joe Hart & Richard Brown – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083H3SDQT/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

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.

Immersing Yourself in Your Story with Heather Graham

Heather Graham lives to immerse herself in her stories. Whether she is speaking to former FBI agents, searching for small town legends, or taking part in a seance, she uses her encounters to intricately build and understand her characters and storylines. Heather is a long-time bestselling author with over 200 books published and over 600 million sales worldwide. She writes anything from historical fiction to romance to paranormal thrillers and is well known for her extensive Krewe of Hunters series and for hosting the yearly Vampire Ball at the RT Convention. Graham’s upcoming release, Dreaming Death, will be available next month.

From Amazon.com:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Heather Graham, majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over two hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult and Christmas family fare.

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 history of the Vampire Ball
  • The key differences between writing historical vs. contemporary fiction
  • The benefits of writing with kids
  • Why Heather’s writing is so diverse
  • Heather’s writing schedule

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Heather Graham – https://www.theoriginalheathergraham.com/

Dreaming Death by Heather Graham – https://books2read.com/DreamingDeath

Phantom Evil (Krewe of Hunters Book 1) by Heather Graham – https://books2read.com/PhantomEvil

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.

The Benefits of Drafting on Paper with Tess Gerritsen

Tess Gerritsen uses the benefits of drafting on paper to her advantage. By handwriting first drafts and only using technology to print out digital versions, she allows her writing to be flawed, catches these mistakes early, and ends up with final drafts that are polished. Tess is an internationally bestselling author who is well known for writing the medical thriller Harvest and the Rizzoli & Isles series, the latter of which inspired a TV series of the same name. She is also the proud co-creator of Magnificent Beast, a documentary that chases the ancient origins of the pork taboo. Gerritsen’s upcoming murder mystery, Choose Me, will be available next year.

From Amazon.com:

Tess’s first medical thriller, Harvest, was released in hardcover in 1996, and it marked her debut on the New York Times bestseller list. Her suspense novels since then have been: Life Support (1997), Bloodstream (1998), Gravity (1999), The Surgeon (2001), The Apprentice (2002), The Sinner (2003), Body Double (2004), Vanish (2005), The Mephisto Club (2006), The Bone Garden (2007), The Keepsake (2008; UK title: Keeping the Dead), Ice Cold (2010; UK title: The Killing Place), The Silent Girl (2011), Last To Die (2012), Die Again (2014), Playing With Fire (2015), and I Know A Secret (2017). Her books have been published in forty countries, and more than 30 million copies have been sold around the world.

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 handwriting a first draft works so well
  • Why you should still print out later drafts
  • When to write for yourself vs. your audience
  • The pros and cons of writing scripts vs. books
  • The unsure future of the publishing industry

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Dumpster Tears – https://writersinkpodcast.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/dumpster.jpg 

KENP Read for KU Royalty Calculator – https://publishwide.com/kenp-royalty-calculator/ 

Tess Gerritsen – https://www.tessgerritsen.com/

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen – https://books2read.com/HarvestBook

The Surgeon (Rizzoli & Isles Book 1) by Tess Gerritsen – https://books2read.com/TheSurgeon

Magnificent Beast https://www.magnificentbeastmovie.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.

Writing Fresh and Believable Fiction with ITW Interim Executive Director, KJ Howe

International thriller author KJ Howe has mastered the art of writing fresh and believable fiction. Armed with an extensive knowledge of her subject matter and a commitment to shedding light on underrepresented character traits, she is able to write novels that feel impressively accurate and relatable. KJ is well known for her Freedom Broker series, which follows the elite hostage negotiator Thea Paris as she takes on the world’s most dangerous kidnapping cases. She is also the Interim Executive Director of the International Thriller Writers organization and has previously been the Executive Director of ThrillerFest. Howe’s most recent publication, Skyjack, is available now.

From KJHowe.com:

While honing her fiction skills, KJ worked as a medical, health, and fitness writer. She then became involved with the International Thriller Writers as the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the organization’s annual conference held every July in New York City. In preparation for writing THE FREEDOM BROKER series, which focuses on elite kidnap negotiator Thea Paris, KJ spent extensive time researching the dark world of kidnapping. She has interviewed former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives.

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 write something fresh and novel
  • The importance of accuracy and believability
  • Why you need to learn from authors in other genres
  • How to work out plot issues
  • How to craft relatable characters
  • Why non-fiction elements are still important in when writing fiction

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

The Career Author Summit 2021 – https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 

KJ Howe – http://www.kjhowe.com/

The Freedom Broker by KJ Howe – https://books2read.com/TheFreedomBroker

Skyjack by KJ Howe – https://books2read.com/Skyjack

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.

Unlocking the Authorpreneurial Mindset with Jim Kukral of Unskippable

Jim Kukral is no stranger to the authorpreneurial mindset. For decades, he repeatedly struggled to create a stand-out book or brand, and the pressure to become a self-sustaining writer only increased when children and a mortgage were thrown into the mix. Regardless, through his unerring drive and determination for success, he eventually found the foothold he deserved. Jim is a non-fiction author, entrepreneur, and online marketing expert. He is well-known for his inspirational life guide, Your Journey To Becoming Unskippable, and for his talent as a keynote speaker. Kukral’s latest publication, The Unskippable Handbook For Dealing with Jerks, Idiots, and Terrible People, is available now.

From Amazon.com:

Jim Kukral delivers insightful and entertaining content to growth-oriented organizations on attention-getting marketing, creative branding and understanding how customers think, react and most importantly, buy. With a passion for speaking and teaching, Jim travels around the world to teach brands and business owners on how they can apply his UNSKIPPABLE method to their marketing and brand mission to generate positive ROI-based outcomes and purposely attract lifetime customers.

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:

  • What sparks a mindset shift
  • How to get out of a dark period
  • How to take the first step into self-employement
  • The importance of creating a brand
  • How to write to market

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

The Career Author Summit 2021 – https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 

Jim Kukral – https://www.jimkukral.com/

Your Journey to Becoming Unskippable by Jim Kukral – https://books2read.com/BecomingUnskippable

The Unskippable Handbook For Dealing with Jerks, Idiots, and Terrible People by Jim Kukral – https://books2read.com/UnskippableHandbook

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.

Optimizing and Automating Amazon Ads with Dierk Demers of Prestozon

Dierk Demers knows the secrets to optimizing and automating Amazon ads using Prestozon. By developing a software to automatically schedule and create ads, provide useful analytics, and update keywords in real-time, he has helped authors around the world successfully capture new readers while leaving the stress of manual advertising behind. Dierk has thrived in the e-commerce industry for years, managing information and designing software for various companies. To learn more about Demers and Prestozon, visit prestozon.com.

From LinkedIn.com:

As the Head of Ad Strategy and Partner Support at Prestozon, I help Amazon Advertising Account Managers of all experience levels get the most out of their PPC budgets. I have been designing unique e-commerce strategies across multiple industries for almost a decade and I use that experience to help design curated PPC initiatives using one of the most sophisticated advertising management tools on the market.

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 Amazon ads are so tough to maintain
  • How Prestozon’s algorithms function
  • How Prestozon introduces brand-new authors to advertising
  • The importance of balancing automated ads with manual ads
  • How authors can help improve Prestozon

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Dierk Demers – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dierk-demers-09308b52/

Prestozon free 30-day trial – https://app.prestozon.com/sign-up?via=j 

Dten Zoom Device – https://dten.com/ 

The Career Author Summit 2021 – https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 

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.

The Science of Pen Names with Riley Sager

Riley Sager understands the importance of a good pen name. By using a pseudonym to detach himself from his early writing career, bypass editing bias, and increase reader relatability, he quickly found success as a reborn author. Riley is renowned for his international bestseller, Final Girls, an unsettling thriller that won the attention of Stephen King. His other bestsellers include Lock Every Door and The Last Time I Lied, the latter of which has a film in the works. Sager’s latest publication, Home Before Dark, is available now.

From Amazon.com:

Riley Sager is the pseudonym of a former journalist, editor and graphic designer. Now a full-time author, Riley’s first thriller, FINAL GIRLS, became a national and international bestseller and was called “the first great thriller of 2017” by Stephen King. Translation rights have been sold in more than two dozen countries. His second book, THE LAST TIME I LIED, was a New York Times bestseller. His latest novel, LOCK EVERY DOOR, was an instant New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestseller. A television adaptation is being developed by Paramount TV and Anonymous Content. A native of Pennsylvania, Riley now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. When he’s not working on his next novel, he enjoys reading, cooking and going to the movies as much as possible. His favorite film is “Rear Window.” Or maybe “Jaws.” But probably, if he’s being honest, “Mary Poppins.”

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 Riley chose his pen name
  • What Stephen King said about Final Girls
  • Why gender-neutral names can be more marketable
  • The importance of avoiding editing bias
  • Tips for outlining a complex story

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Riley Sager – https://www.rileysagerbooks.com/

Final Girls by Riley Sager – https://books2read.com/FinalGirls

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager – https://books2read.com/TheLastTimeILied

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager – https://books2read.com/HomeBeforeDark

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.

Useful Marketing and Writing Techniques with Mark Dawson

Mark Dawson has developed many useful marketing and writing techniques for aspiring or developed authors. Through keeping his writing time structured and making the effort to understand Amazon’s advertising platform, he quickly found success as a self-published writer. Mark is well-known for his bestselling John Milton series, which follows the chilling encounters of a hired gun, with over a million copies sold. He is also the mastermind behind the esteemed Self Publishing Formula, where he educates authors around the world about writing and marketing through podcast episodes, blog posts, and online courses. His next publication and newest addition to the John Milton series, Killa City, will be available this fall.

From Amazon.com:

Mark Dawson has worked as a lawyer and in the London film industry. His first books, The Art of Falling Apart and Subpoena Colada, have been published in multiple languages. He is currently writing three series. The John Milton series features a disgruntled assassin who aims to help people make amends for the things that he has done. The Beatrix Rose series features the headlong fight for justice of a wronged mother–who happens to be an assassin–against the six names on her Kill List. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, The Black Mile, deals with the (real-life but little-known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. The Imposter traces the journey of a criminal family through the period; it has been compared to The Sopranos in austerity London. Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.

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 and where to write effectively
  • Tips for optimizing a website
  • How to market to bookstores as a self-published author
  • The importance of Amazon advertising
  • Tips for scheduling an author’s work day

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Consequences of Rock Podcast – https://consequencesofrock.com/ 

Mark Dawson – https://markjdawson.com/

Killa City by Mark Dawson – https://books2read.com/Killa-City

The Cleaner (John Milton Book 1) by Mark Dawson – https://books2read.com/The-Cleaner

Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula – https://selfpublishingformula.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.