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!

In this special episode of Writers, Ink, Zach Bohannon hosts a panel of authors brave enough to take the Harlan Coben Challenge, resulting in the Audible Original, “Birds of Prey.” Listen in as Tess Gerritsen, Kathy Reichs, Heather Graham, and other bestsellers discuss the behind-the-scenes process of writing and collaborating on a unique and spontaneous anthology.

From Audible.com:

The world’s greatest thriller writers prove they’re up to a unique challenge in this action-packed, audio-original collection.

It all started with a simple, yet sneakily difficult challenge from global best-selling author Harlan Coben: Pick a bird of prey, then use it as the inspiration for a brand-new story.

The response from some of the best writers on the planet: Game on!

The result: Eleven stories that are twisty, scary, surprising and bursting with imagination. An egg worth more than its weight in gold. A mysterious operative known only as Owl. An eagle-watcher who sees more than she should. Even a story that somehow places the Maltese Falcon in a nursing home.

Birds of Prey: The Harlan Coben Challenge is a highly bingeable audiobook that’s a treat for thriller fans.

Introduced by Harlan Coben, Birds of Prey features these stories:  

  • “The Coffin Bearer” by Tess Gerritsen 
  • “Precious Cargo” by C.J. Box 
  • “Owl” by Kathy Reichs 
  • “Kudzu” by Ace Atkins 
  • “Predator or Prey?” by Heather Graham 
  • “Silent as a Shadow” by S.A. Cosby 
  • “Jail Birds” by Hank Phillippi Ryan 
  • “The Falcon” by Robert Dugoni 
  • “Watchers” by Allison Brennan 
  • “Red of Beak and Claw” by Gregg Hurwitz 
  • “Hawkshaw Hunting” by Kelley Armstrong

Birds of Prey: The Harlan Coben Challenge was created with International Thriller Writers (ITW). C.J. Box served as project editor. 

©2022 International Thriller Writers, Inc., and authors (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

  • How the Birds of Prey project originated
  • How you can get your work published in an ITW anthology
  • How a defined writing prompt makes drafting easier
  • If writing for Audiobook adaptation affects the writing process
  • And much more!

Links:

J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/

J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/

Zach Bohannon – https://zachbohannon.com/

Birds of Preyhttps://www.audible.com/pd/Birds-of-Prey-The-Harlan-Coben-Challenge-Audiobook/B09WZHXGMQ 

Three Story Method: Writing Scenes – https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws 

Best of BookTook – https://bestofbooktok.com/ 

Story Rubric – http://storyrubric.com  

Nonfic Rubric – http://nonficrubric.com  

Scene Rubric – http://scenerubric.com 

Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life – https://kobowritinglife.com/ and Atticus – https://www.atticus.io/

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

Audio production by Geoff Emberlyn – http://www.emberletter.com/ 

Website Design by Word & Pixel – http://wordandpixel.com/

Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ 

*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.