Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors
What does it take to succeed as a writer? Join host J.D. Barker and a panel of industry experts as they pull back the curtain and offer rare insights from the household names found on bookshelves worldwide.
Tue, April 01, 2025
Bestseller Adam Nevill explains Why you should be writing horror
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Simon & Schuster, Bill Bryson, and The Hunger Games . Then, stick around for a chat with Adam Nevill! ADAM L. G. NEVILL was born in Birmingham, England, in 1969 and grew up in England and New Zealand. He is an author of horror fiction. Of his novels, The Ritual, Last Days, No One Gets Out Alive and The Reddening were all winners of The August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel. He has also published three collections of short stories, with Some Will Not Sleep winning the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection, 2017. Imaginarium adapted The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive into feature films and more of his work is currently in development for the screen. The author lives in Devon, England.
Tue, March 25, 2025
How to turn 29 short stories into a novel with NYT bestseller John Scalzi.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Oracle, TikTok, the Slush Pile, and LibGen. Then, stick around for a chat with John Scalzi! John Michael Scalzi II is an American science fiction author and former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America . He is best known for his Old Man's War series , three novels of which have been nominated for the Hugo Award , and for his blog Whatever , where he has written on a number of topics since 1998.
Tue, March 18, 2025
Why the small things matter, with NYT bestseller Stephen Graham Jones.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Netgalley, ChatGPT, and Spotify. Then, stick around for a chat with Stephen Graham Jones! Stephen Graham Jones is the NYT bestselling author of 35 or so books, +350 stories, some comic books, and all this stuff here. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, and has a few broken-down old trucks, one PhD, and way too many boots. More here .
Tue, March 11, 2025
Don’t Tell Me How to Die with #1 NYT Bestseller, Marshall Carp.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about AAP sales, London Book Fair 2025, and nonfiction paperbacks. Then, stick around for a chat with Marshall Karp! Marshall Karp - I was born in New York City on June 4 in one of those old-timey years before they invented color TV. I was always a writer—letters, parody songs, stories, skits, fun stuff—but I had no idea I could make a living at it, so I entered Rutgers with a grand plan. I was going to be a dentist. Me—a man with all the manual dexterity of a drunken monkey—a dentist. Fortunately the universe intervened. I flunked freshman biology. So I started writing for the school newspaper. After college I fell into advertising. My girlfriend at the time was a copywriter at an ad agency, and I figured, that sounds cool. So much for career planning. Short version of that 20-year career—I was very successful, but in advertising, the punishment for being a good writer is to promote you and tell you not to write. Before long I had a big title, a big office, and I supervised a hundred people. I was the boss, and all I could think was, “is this all there is?” So I started writing at night. The short version of the next twenty years is that I wrote a play, did a stint in Hollywood writing sitcoms, wrote and produced a feature film , returned to advertising and caught the dotcom wave, and finally the ultimate writer’s dream, these books . I recently wrote about that twenty-year journey on quora.com in response to the question What is the single insight that most changed your life? When the post got tens of thousands of views, I sensed I’d hit a nerve. When it hit a million, I realized I’d struck the mother lode. On a personal note, I’m married, with a son, a daughter, a grandson, and a dog. I live a hundred miles north of New York City in a small town in the mid-Hudson Valley. I love what I do, and I’m grateful for the feedback I get when I do it. And like I said at the top, it’s been a great life so far.
Tue, March 04, 2025
Writers, Ink Podcast: Episode 284 – The Power of Persistence: Steve Berry on Overcoming Rejections
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about ElevenLabs, Spotify's AI Audiobooks, and publishing cyber attacks. Then, stick around for a chat with Steve Berry! Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-four novels. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.
Tue, February 25, 2025
Trigger Warnings, D&D, and Award Winning Author Adrian Tchaikovsky
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Kindle, Yorkies, and James Bond. Then, stick around for a chat with Adrian Tchaikovsky! Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading before becoming a professional author in 2007. He is a keen role-player and board gamer and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell. Adrian primarily explores deep themes, such as artificial intelligence and alien awareness within epic galactic and fantastical settings. He has a deep interest in the animal world specifically insects from his studies in Zoology and has a particular penchant for spiders.
Tue, February 18, 2025
The benefits of reverse outlining with bestselling author D.J. Williams.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Faber, The Big Five, and Stephen King. Then, stick around for a chat with D.J. Williams! D.J. Williams - With the DNA of a world traveler, D.J. Williams was born and raised in Hong Kong, igniting an adventurous spirit as he ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East. His global travels have submerged him in a myriad of cultures, providing a unique perspective that fuels his creativity. As a fresh voice in mystery, suspense, and YA fantasy, his novels have climbed the charts ranking as high as #1 on Amazon Hot New Releases. His books The Auctioneer and Hunt For Eden’s Star have received stellar reviews from Kirkus Reviews, the most trusted voice in book discovery. Williams has also been featured in Publishers Weekly and Writer's Digest. With the launch of his latest YA series, Beacon Hill, the trailers and documentary featuring the first book, Hunt For Eden's Star, and the second book, Secrets of the Highlands, have reached over 1.8 million+ views. Beacon Hill is also currently under optioning consideration for film, television, streaming, and animation by the producers, production companies, and studios who have created the most successful YA franchises of all time. Williams has also been an executive producer and director on over 500 episodes of broadcast television.
Tue, February 11, 2025
From acclaimed documentary filmmaker to first-time novelist with Tod Lending
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about the 'copyrightability' of AI works, NetGalley, and Kindle Vella. Then, stick around for a chat with Tod Lending! Tod Lending - Academy Award™-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Mr. Lending has spent nearly four decades creating documentaries that illuminate the human capacity for resilience amid adversity. Now a debut novelist, he brings his deep storytelling instincts to the written page, exploring moral dilemmas and the lingering shadows of persecution in his upcoming work.
Tue, February 04, 2025
Twisting the norm in horror with award-winning writer/director turned author, Lucy Rose.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Bookshop, Amazon and Bloomsbury, Dan Brown's next Robert Langdon novel, and Simon & Schuster. Then, stick around for a chat with Lucy Rose! Lucy Rose - Cumbrian dwelling in the North East. Writer of folktales and fables. Lucy Rose is an author and award-winning filmmaker with an interest in gothic, girlhood, horror, and literary fiction. Her short fiction and nonfiction have been published in Dread Central, Mslexia, The Observer, The Nerd Daily and more. Lucy’s forthcoming debut novel, THE LAMB is forthcoming from W&N Books (UK) and Harper (US). Her award-winning short film, SHE LIVES ALONE, attended BAFTA and Oscar-qualifying festivals before being acquired by WatchALTER. Lucy’s latest short film, TASTE, is visiting festivals over 2023/24 and has attended BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying film festivals. Lucy lives on the North East coast with her beautiful black cat, Figgy.
Tue, January 28, 2025
Crafting a thriller around real-world events with #1 NYT Bestseller, Joseph Finder.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about TikTok uncertainty, Apple's AI, and Instagram Reels. Then, stick around for a chat with Joseph Finder! Joseph Finder is the New York Times bestselling author of 17 suspense novels, most recently the forthcoming The Oligarch’s Daughter. His most recently published novel House On Fire is the fourth featuring “private spy” Nick Heller. His books have won numerous awards, including the Strand Critics Award for Best Novel for Buried Secrets (2011), the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Novel for Killer Instinct (2006) and the Barry Award for Best Thriller for Company Man (2005). The Boston Globe has called him a “master of the modern thriller.” Two of his novels have been made into major motion pictures, including High Crimes , adapted into the hit 2002 movie starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman; and Paranoia, the 2013 film starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, and Liam Hemsworth. A founding member of the International Thriller Writers, as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Association of Former Intelligence Officers. Joe is a graduate of Yale and the Harvard Russian Research Center. He lives in Boston.
Tue, January 21, 2025
A twisty journey through Silicon Valley with Jakob Kerr.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about a star NFL player, book trend predictions, and RedNote. Then, stick around for a chat with Jakob Kerr! Jakob Kerr is a writer and the author of Dead Money, coming soon from Bantam Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. His work is represented by Verve Talent . In addition to his work as an author, Jakob is a lawyer and communications executive in San Francisco's tech industry. He was one of the first employees at Airbnb and spent a decade shepherding the company from tiny startup to global phenomenon. Jakob has also been a bartender, sportswriter, and—for one disastrous afternoon—the driver of an ice cream truck. After fifteen years in San Francisco, he recently returned to his native Pacific Northwest, where he now lives with his wife and children. Dead Money is his first novel.
Tue, January 14, 2025
Crafting Historical Fiction with #1 NYT Bestseller, P.C. Cast.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about an alternative to Google Docs, Jenna Bush, Fable App, and Michael Jacobs. Then, stick around for a chat with PC Cast! PC Cast was born in the Midwest, and, after her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, Booksellers' Best, and many, many more. Ms. Cast is an experienced teacher and talented speaker who lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her crazy Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses.
Tue, January 07, 2025
The Memoir Engineering System with Wendy Dale.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Netflix, Jimmy Carter, and James Patterson. Then, stick around for a chat with Wendy Dale! Wendy Dale : In spite of the title of her first book, Wendy Dale has not been very good at avoiding prisons, especially the ones located in Costa Rica. A world traveler known for heading to some of the strangest places on the planet, she has also competed for jogging space in Colombia with guerrillas intent on overthrowing the government, learned to dance salsa in Cuba with the aid of a 60-year-old woman intent on starting each morning with a healthy dose of rum, and dodged bombs in Lebanon. (The good news, as she would learn later, was that they were small bombs. "Very small bombs" her optimistic guide in Beirut would helpfully point out.) She studied film in Cochabamba, Bolivia, the city she currently calls home, where she writes and directs comedic shorts in Spanish. Long ago she lived in Los Angeles, where she wrote a humorous TV special that was nominated for an Emmy ("The New Adventures of Mother Goose.") She is currently at work on a new memoir.
Tue, December 31, 2024
The Business of Being a Writer with Hot Sheet Author Jane Friedman.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about coloring books, Tracy Wolff, and finance. Then, stick around for a chat with Jane Friedman! Jane Friedman : "I’ve been working in book publishing since the 1990s, but my views are not from the 1990s. Amidst rapid change in the industry, writers need honest and unbiased guidance to make the best decisions for their careers. I hope to offer you a signal amidst the noise."
Tue, December 24, 2024
Ghostwriting with international bestseller, Tom Bromley
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about The Black List, the National Film Registry, and MJ Rose. Then, stick around for a chat with Tom Bromley! Tom Bromley : Who am I? In short, I have worked in publishing for almost 25 years as an author, editor, creative writing instructor and ghostwriter. For a longer bio, click here: https://www.tombromley.co.uk/
Tue, December 17, 2024
The Importance of Building a Brand with Marissa Eigenbrood.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about AAP, OpenAI's Sora, and Google Docs. Then, stick around for a chat with Marissa Eigenbrood! Marissa Eigenbrood is Vice President of Smith Publicity , the most prolific book marketing agency in the publishing industry, with thousands of books promoted since 1997. From first-time, self-published authors to New York Times bestsellers, Smith Publicity promotes every genre, and has secured media coverage for authors and books with every top media outlet in the U.S. And Canada. The firm has offices in Cherry Hill, NJ, and Toronto. Contact Smith Publicity at info@smithpublicity.com.
Tue, December 10, 2024
How the right PR firm can take your career to the next level with Melanie Herschorn of VIP Book Marketing.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about booming bookstores, Taylor Swift's book, and Stephen King's radio stations. Then, stick around for a chat with Melanie Herschorn! Melanie Herschorn - Get ready to step into your spotlight as an authority. As a publisher and book marketing strategist for attorneys, wealth advisors and business owners, worldwide, I'm on a mission to empower authors to share your message with the world. With my comprehensive background of over 20 years as a celebrity publicist, award-winning journalist in radio, print, and TV, as well as a clothing designer and entrepreneur, I am uniquely positioned to support authors to step into thought leadership and make a big impact with their book. I earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California, where I graduated first in my class. I grew up in Canada, have lived on both US coasts, and now reside in Arizona with my husband, daughter and son, our Cavalier King Charles Marty McDog and our Siberian cat Phoebe. My new book, Make a Big Impact with Your Book , is available now.
Tue, December 03, 2024
The debut of A.I. Kevin and Buried Road with award-winning screenwriter and director Katie Tallo.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and A.I. Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Esquire layoffs, Costco books, Spotify analytics, and PRH. Then, stick around for a chat with Katie Tallo! Katie Tallo : For three decades, Katie has been an award-winning screenwriter and director, collaborating on projects in animation, television and motion pictures. After winning an international novel contest for women writers in 2013, Katie landed a publishing deal for her debut novel. The thriller Dark August is set in the Wellington West neighbourhood where she lives. The novel became an international bestseller and was chosen as an Apple Book of the Month and New York Times Editor’s Choice. It inspired a trilogy including the follow-up, Poison Lilies , which brings Augusta and Levi back for another cold case when a body emerges from a frozen pond, and the final installment, Buried Road , which tumbles forward more than a decade to find Gus and her daughter, Bly, on a precarious road trip to find a missing person. Katie is currently working on a new mystery thriller.
Tue, November 26, 2024
Writing sci-fi for the masses with Bobiverse creator, Dennis E. Taylor.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Dick Wybrow, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Harper's new deal, Amazon's response to Spotify's free audiobooks, and NBN's closing. Then, stick around for a chat with Dennis E. Taylor! Dennis E. Taylor: My name is Dennis Taylor. I share that distinction with several other authors and a couple of musicians, unfortunately. Which is why I’m using Dennis E. Taylor. No, not Dennise Taylor, dangit 🙂. I am a retired computer programmer, snowboarder, mountain-biker, runner, and now author. I hope my novels will give you a few hours of entertainment and escape. I’m open to suggestions, comments, ideas, or whatever.
Tue, November 19, 2024
Live at Author Nation.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, James Blatch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about renting shelves in bookstores, BQE Press Launches, the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards, and self-publishing's growing influence. Then, stick around for live questions at Author Nation! Author Ventures LLC is a Nevada limited liability company established to manage author networking and education events, as well as reader events. While a privately held company, we are advised by the indie author community. The community we serve helps select the content and the development of professional conduct at our events. Please review our Conduct of Code here . If you want to contact us, please reach out via email at hello@authorventuresllc.com .
Tue, November 12, 2024
Leah Paulos explains how to improve your book publicity.
Join hosts Christine Daigle and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about celebrity novels, Netflix, Kindle Colorsoft, and an AI-invented Halloween parade. Then, stick around for a chat with Leah Paulos!
Tue, November 05, 2024
Writing visually with NYT bestseller, J.T. Ellison.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Kindle Vella, Penguin Random House, and midnight release parties. Then, stick around for a chat with J.T. Ellison! Check It Out! J.T. Ellison : https://www.jtellison.com/ A Very Bad Thing : https://a.co/d/a5w8ldv Kindle Vella Closure Announcement - https://medium.com/staring-at-a-blank-page/kindle-vella-announces-its-closure-f73517448a9f Penguin Random House books now explicitly say ‘no’ to AI training - https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273895/penguin-random-house-books-copyright-ai Solid Support for Giant Reports - https://www.getbookreport.com/blog/solid-support-for-giant-reports Literary Publishers Embrace the Midnight Release Party - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96312-literary-publishers-embrace-the-midnight-release-party.html
Tue, October 29, 2024
How to write the creepy with Nick Cutter
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, Jena Brown, and James Blatch as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Spotify, John Grisham, and Kindle. Then, stick around for a chat with Nick Cutter!
Tue, October 22, 2024
Writers, Ink Podcast: Episode 265 — "What happens next?" Lee Child: "I don't know." ...And that's how you write a Jack Reacher novel.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and James Blatch as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including: "James Patterson Plans to Take on Hollywood, and Cable News, on Substack," "An Actual Taylor Swift Book Due November 29 As A Target Exclusive," and "TikTok’s Owner Already Publishes Digital Books. Now It’s Moving Into Print." Then, stick around for a chat with Andrew Child! Andrew Grant was born in Birmingham, England in May 1968. He went to school in St Albans, Hertfordshire and later attended the University of Sheffield where he studied English Literature and Drama. After graduation Andrew set up and ran a small independent theatre company which showcased a range of original material to local, regional and national audiences. Following a critically successful but financially challenging appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Andrew moved into the telecommunications industry as a ‘temporary’ solution to a short-term cash crisis. Fifteen years later, after carrying out a variety of roles – including a number which were covered by the UK Official Secrets Act – Andrew escaped from corporate life, and established himself as the author of the critically-acclaimed novels Even, Die Twice, More Harm Than Good, RUN, False Positive, False Friend, False Witness, Invisible, and Too Close To Home. Andrew is married to novelist Tasha Alexander, and lives on a wildlife preserve in Wyoming, USA.
Tue, October 15, 2024
How to properly murder someone (on paper) with Kate Christensen.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including: How Hollywood Is Battling Fans Who Are ‘Just Out for Blood’, Authors Guild to Promote Created by Humans, Hardcover Joins The “We Aren’t Goodreads” Rank. Then, stick around for a chat with Kate Christensen! Kate Christensen - The Arizona Triangle comes out on 10/22 from HarperCollins under the pseudonym Sydney Graves. This is the first book of a projected mystery series featuring a private eye named Jo Bailen. The Sacred and the Divine, the first book of a YA trilogy, co-written with Eliza Wolfe, comes out fall 2025 from Hyperion. I’m currently at work on a new novel whose working title is Good Company . I live in Taos, New Mexico with my husband and our two dogs.
Tue, October 08, 2024
Why the ‘80s are clearly the “best” decade with NYT bestseller, Richard Chizmar.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including how Marvel and DC lost their Super Hero trademark, the elite college students that can't read books, and publishing made perfect. Then, stick around for a chat with Richard Chizmar! RICHARD CHIZMAR is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Amazon , and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. He is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling novella, Gwendy’s Button Box and the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and 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. Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little. Chizmar is also the creator/writer of the online website, Stephen King Revisited . His fourth short story collection, The Long Way Home , was published in 2019. With Brian Freeman, Chizmar is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams horror anthology series published by Random House imprint, Hydra. His latest book, The Girl on the Porch , was released in hardcover by Subterranean Press, and Widow’s Point , a chilling novella about a haunted lighthouse written with his son, W.H. Chizmar, was recently adapted into a feature film. Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor. You can follow Richard Chizmar on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . Also check out the Richard Chizmar Fan Page set up by his readers.
Tue, October 01, 2024
Why You Should Add Humor To Your Dark Fiction with USA Today Bestseller Michelle Chouinard.
Join hosts Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Lauren Sánchez, Honey & Wax, Banned Books Week, and Kindle Vella. Then, stick around for a chat with Michelle Chouinard! Michelle Chouinard is the USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author behind The Serial-Killer Guide to San Francisco (coming soon), The Vacation and the Detective Jo Fournier series (featuring The Dancing Girls, Taken to the Grave, Her Daughter’s Cry, and The Other Mothers).
Tue, September 24, 2024
John Gaspard explains why you need to analyze films to write a good book.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including why publishers try skinnier books, how the Authors Guild reached an agreement with TouchPoint Press, and Simon & Schuster Children's new deal. Then, stick around for a chat with John Gaspard! John Gaspard is author of the Eli Marks mystery series and the Como Lake Players mystery series. He also has several other stand-alone novels, including “The Greyhound of the Baskervilles,” “A Christmas Carl,” “The Sword & Mr. Stone” and “The Ripperologists.” He hosts two podcasts: "Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast," and "The Occasional Film Podcast." In real life, John's not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less - that's no small trick. He's also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, those books made more than the films. John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several greyhounds, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.
Tue, September 17, 2024
Former CIA intelligence officer Taylor Moore and his new book COLD TRAIL.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including TikTok, Audible's AI voice replica service, and James Blatch's new podcast. Then, stick around for a chat with Taylor Moore! Taylor Moore - "I’m often asked how I ended up at the CIA, a question to which there are more than a few answers. But what I think people really want to know is what edged a regular guy like me out of the light and into the shadows of the intelligence world: a what makes you tick kind of thing. It’s a question I can answer in one single phrase—passion for adventure. This is the same passion that drew me to childhood heroes like Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Jack Ryan. This quest for adventure propelled me on a solo journey at the age of twenty-four through the jungles of Bolivia, over the Andes, and across the raging Drake Passage on a Russian icebreaker to Antarctica. And it’s the same passion I have now that spurs me to write thriller novels and action-adventure stories. We may grow up, but we don’t have to give in. No matter our age or what we do, a good passion for adventure never dies. And if you’re like me and you’re searching for the next one, then look no further. You’ve arrived."
Tue, September 10, 2024
Writers, Ink Podcast: Episode 259 — The truth behind writing True Crime with bestseller, Stella Sands.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Canva, AI, and The Black List. Then, stick around for a chat with Stella Sands! Stella Sands is the bestselling author of six true-crime books: Baby-Faced Butchers, The Dating Game Killer, Behind the Mask, Murder at Yale, Wealthy Men Only, and The Good Son. She is also the author of a children’s book, Odyssea , and many educational books, and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning magazine Kids Discover for nineteen years. She has appeared on numerous television shows, including People Magazine Investigates , ABC’s 20/20, and several episodes of Investigation Discovery . Her plays, Lou Passin’ Through, Black-eyed Peas, and E-me, have been produced in Off-Off Broadway theaters in New York City. Sands lives in Sag Harbor, New York.
Tue, September 10, 2024
The truth behind writing True Crime with bestseller, Stella Sands.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Canva, AI, and The Black List. Then, stick around for a chat with Stella Sands! Stella Sands is the bestselling author of six true-crime books: Baby-Faced Butchers, The Dating Game Killer, Behind the Mask, Murder at Yale, Wealthy Men Only, and The Good Son. She is also the author of a children’s book, Odyssea , and many educational books, and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning magazine Kids Discover for nineteen years. She has appeared on numerous television shows, including People Magazine Investigates , ABC’s 20/20, and several episodes of Investigation Discovery . Her plays, Lou Passin’ Through, Black-eyed Peas, and E-me, have been produced in Off-Off Broadway theaters in New York City. Sands lives in Sag Harbor, New York. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/writersink/support
Tue, September 03, 2024
Publishing on an Amazon imprint with USA Today bestseller, Ann Garvin.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Len Riggio, a new bookstore map, and Jack Ryan. Then, stick around for a chat with Ann Garvin! Ann Garvin , Ph.D. is the USA Today Bestselling author and finalist for the Thomas Wolf Fiction Prize. She is the author of six funny and sad novels. She writes about people who do too much in a world that asks too much from them. Ann worked as an RN and, after receiving her PhD, taught Exercise Physiology and Health Psychology for thirty years in the University of Wisconsin system. She currently teaches creative writing at Drexel University in their low residency Masters of Fine Arts program and has held positions at Miami University and Southern New Hampshire in their Masters of Fine Arts Creative Writing programs. Ann is the founder of the multiple award-winning Tall Poppy Writers, a group of traditionally published authors committed to helping readers find wonderful books. She is a sought-after speaker on writing, leadership and health and has taught extensively in NY, San Francisco, LA, Boston, and at festivals across the country and in Europe.
Tue, August 27, 2024
Writing a high concept thriller novel with international bestseller, S.B. Caves.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Sherryl Clark's Amazon deal, Anthropic's AI lawsuit, and ElevenLabs' new app. Then, stick around for a chat with S.B. Caves! Born and raised in North London, S.B. Caves is the international bestselling author of A Killer Came Knocking and I Know Where She Is , which The Sun described as 'sinister, unsettling and gripping'. His new high concept thriller novel, Honeycomb , will be published by Datura Books on July 9, 2024. He now lives in South London with his wife and two sons.
Tue, August 20, 2024
Writing a locked-room mystery on a thousand acres with #1 NYT bestseller, Karin Slaughter.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news. Then, stick around for a chat with Karin Slaughter! Karin Slaughter is one of the world's most popular and acclaimed storytellers. She is the author of more than twenty instant New York Times bestselling novels, including the Edgar–nominated Cop Town and standalone novels Pretty Girls , The Good Daughter , and Pieces of Her . She is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. Pieces of Her is a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette, and WILL TRENT , based on her Will Trent series , is on ABC (and streaming on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally). False Witness and The Good Daughter are in development for television. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta
Tue, August 13, 2024
Writing a gothic thriller based on a real historical figure with L.S. Stratton
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including identity verification for KDP authors and Spiracle's ‘Audiobook in a Card.' Then, stick around for a chat with L.S. Stratton! L.S. Stratton is an NAACP Image Award-nominated author and former crime newspaper reporter who has written more than a dozen books under different pen names in just about every genre from thrillers to romance to historical fiction. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband, their daughter and their tuxedo cat.
Tue, August 06, 2024
Sophie Brickman explains how she wrote an epistolary novel with emails, group chats, texts, and other documents.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including SPF podcast shutting down, why X is under pressure from regulators, and how Instagram starts letting people create AI versions of themselves. Then, stick around for a chat with Sophie Brickman! Sophie Brickman is a writer, reporter and editor based in New York City. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Saveur, The San Francisco Chronicle, the Best Food Writing compilation, and the Best American Science Writing compilation, among other places. She is currently a columnist at The Guardian . She wrote a monthly column for Elle interviewing influential women—including Nancy Pelosi and Joyce Carol Oates—about their paths to success, served as Executive Editor of a travel publication launched jointly between Hearst and Airbnb, and was the Features Editor at Saveur . As a staff reporter at The San Francisco Chronicle , she won first place in the 2011 Association of Food Journalists’ feature writing category, for a piece about Napa’s French Laundry restaurant, and third place for best column. In a previous life, after attending the French Culinary Institute, she worked the line at Gramercy Tavern, making risotto and lamb ragù for the lunch crowd. And before that, she graduated with honors from Harvard College, where her studies in social theory and philosophy prepared her for very few practical endeavors. Hence the desire to learn how to chop an onion correctly. Her first book, Baby, Unplugged , about the intersection of parenting and technology, was published by HarperOne in Fall 2021, received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, and landed her a spot on Good Morning America. Her first novel, Plays Well With Others —a satirical epistolary romp through New York City, following the life of one mother as it begins to unravel in spectacular fashion—will be published by William Morrow in summer 2024.
Mon, July 29, 2024
Writers, Ink Podcast: Episode 253 — #1 NYT bestseller Daniel Silva explains how he keeps the story fresh with book 24 of his Gabriel Allon series.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including: Hugo awards organizers reveal thousands were spent on fraudulent votes to help one writer win; Orbit, a division of Hachette Book Group, announced the launch of Run for It; and HarperAlley, the graphic novel imprint at HarperCollins, expands into Adult Graphic Novels. Then, stick around for a chat with Daniel Silva! Daniel Silva has been called his generation’s finest writer of international intrigue and one of the greatest American spy novelists ever. Compelling, passionate, haunting, brilliant: these are the words that have been used to describe the work of award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva. Silva burst onto the scene in 1997 with his electrifying bestselling debut, The Unlikely Spy , a novel of love and deception set around the Allied invasion of France in World War II. His second and third novels, The Mark of the Assassin and The Marching Season , were also instant New York Times bestsellers and starred two of Silva’s most memorable characters: CIA officer Michael Osbourne and international hit man Jean-Paul Delaroche. But it was Silva’s fourth novel, The Kill Artist , which would alter the course of his career. The novel featured a character described as one of the most memorable and compelling in contemporary fiction, the art restorer and sometime Israeli secret agent Gabriel Allon, and though Silva did not realize it at the time, Gabriel’s adventures had only just begun. Gabriel Allon appears in Silva’s next twenty-one novels, each one more successful than the last. Silva knew from a very early age that he wanted to become a writer, but his first profession would be journalism. Born in Michigan, raised and educated in California, he was pursuing a master’s degree in international relations when he received a temporary job offer from United Press International to help cover the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco. Later that year Silva abandoned his studies and joined UPI fulltime, working first in San Francisco, then on the foreign desk in Washington, and finally as Middle East correspondent in Cairo and the Persian Gulf. In 1987, while covering the Iran-Iraq war, he met NBC Today National Correspondent Jamie Gangel and they were married later that year. Silva returned to Washington and went to work for CNN and became Executive Producer of its talk show unit including shows like Crossfire, Capital Gang and Reliable Sources. In 1995 he confessed to Jamie that his true ambition was to be a novelist. With her support and encouragement he secretly began work on the manuscript that would eventually become the instant bestseller The Unlikely Spy . He left CNN in 1997 after the book’s successful publication and began writing full time. Since then all of Sil
Mon, July 22, 2024
Four novels in, Katherine Wood explains why she dropped her pen name and went with her authentic self on her new book.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including: "CCC Announces Collective Solution for Internal AI Licenses," "Audible Rolls Out New Royalty Plan," and "Hachette Reorgs Workman, Moves Algonquin into Little, Brown." Then, stick around for a chat with Katherine Wood! Katherine Wood – QUICK FACTS: Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi University: University of Southern California Current city: Atlanta, Georgia Lived the longest in: Los Angeles, CA Favorite city: Barcelona, Spain Favorite food: dark chocolate Favorite drink: Aperol spritz Favorite holiday: Halloween Loves: yoga, hiking, travel, words, house music, sunshine, red lipstick, modern art, fireworks, laughter Family: husband, two daughters, a naughty pug, a ferocious kitty Previous jobs: actress, screenwriter, director, producer, photographer, singer-songwriter, legal assistant, real estate agent, yoga instructor, bartender, travel coordinator Previous pen name: Katherine St. John (The Lion's Den, The Siren, The Vicious Circle)
Mon, July 15, 2024
UK#1 Bestselling author Peter James explains why he locked himself in a coffin and drove a train to improve his prose.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Random House Publishing Group acquiring Boom! Studios, WIPO launching a toolkit for authors and publishers, and TikTok’s AI Chatbot called Genie. Then, stick around for a chat with Peter James! Peter James is a UK No.1 bestselling author, best known for his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, now a hit ITV drama starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper. Much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing, he has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger. In 2024, it was announced that he is the creator of Her Majesty Queen Camilla’s favourite fictional detective. To date, Peter has written an impressive total of 20 Sunday Times No. 1s, sold over 23 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. Her Majesty Queen Camilla has announced that Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is her favourite fictional detective. His books are also often adapted for the stage, with his six stage shows grossing over £17 million at the box office – the most recent being Wish You Were Dead.
Mon, July 08, 2024
Kelsea Yu - Words are never wasted when writing a novel
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including controlled digital lending, The 'Wall Street Journal' dropping its bestseller lists, a Kindle Vella contest, and TikTok lifting Kindle sales. Then, stick around for a chat with Kelsea Yu! Kelsea Yu is a Taiwanese Chinese American writer who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children. Whether through a speculative or real-world lens, her writing explores diaspora identity, twists on folklore, complicated interpersonal relationships, and characters who make unconventional choices. Kelsea’s novella, Bound Feet (Cemetery Gates Media), is nominated for a 2022 Shirley Jackson Award. Her debut novel, It’s Only a Game, is forthcoming from Bloomsbury Children’s in 2024, and her next novella, Demon Song , is forthcoming from Titan Books in 2025. She has stories and essays published in magazines such as Clarkesworld, Apex, PseudoPod , and Fantasy, and in various anthologies. Her nonfiction has been published in Nightmare, Sarah Gailey’s Personal Canons Cookbook , and elsewhere . Kelsea is an active member of SFWA and HWA, as well as a first reader for the Ignyte Award-winning and twice Hugo Award-nominated magazine, khōréō . Find her on Instagram or Twitter @anovelescape. She is represented by Jennifer Azantian of Azantian Literary Agency .
Mon, July 01, 2024
You never forget your first death threat. Writing 80s fiction with Snowden Wright.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including how an agent was fired over Twitter posts, some actual Amazon book sales data, Shopify adding sellers to its third-party marketplace, and how ElevenLabs just launched its iOS app. Then, stick around for a chat with Snowden Wright! Snowden Wright is the author of the novel American Pop , a Wall Street Journal WSJ+ Book of the Month, selection for Barnes & Noble’s “Discover Great New Writers” program, Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick, and NPR Favorite Book of the Year. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia University, he has written for The Atlantic , Salon , Esquire , The Millions, and the New York Daily News , among other publications, and previously worked as a fiction reader at The New Yorker , Esquire , and The Paris Review . Wright was the Visiting Writer and Prose Faculty at the 2021 Longleaf Writers Conference, and his debut novel, Play Pretty Blues , won the 2012 Summer Literary Seminars’ Graywolf Prize. Recipient of the Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship from the Carson McCullers Center, he has attended writing residencies at Yaddo, Escape to Create, the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Tusen Takk, Monson Arts, and the Hambidge Center. Wright lives in Yazoo County, Mississippi. His third novel, The Queen City Detective Agency , is forthcoming from HarperCollins in August 2024.
Mon, June 24, 2024
The important of voice with NYT Bestseller Ace Atkins.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Barnes & Noble purchasing Tattered Cover, how you can read classics with A.I. guides, Saturday Books' new launch, and how authors seek help to plug their own books. Then, stick around for a chat with Ace Atkins! Ace Atkins is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author who started his writing career as a crime beat reporter in Florida. Don’t Let the Devil Ride is his thirtieth novel. His previous novels include eleven books in the Quinn Colson series and multiple true-crime novels based on infamous crooks and killers. In 2010, he was chosen by Robert B. Parker’s family to continue the iconic Spenser series, adding ten novels to the franchise. He lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his family.
Mon, June 17, 2024
How well do you know your spouse? Bestselling author, Kimberly Belle, explains why marital secrets make such great novels.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including The New List, Little and Brown hitting layoffs, and how English-Language books are filling Europe’s bookstores. Then, stick around for a chat with Kimberly Belle! Kimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author with over one million copies sold worldwide, with titles including The Paris Widow , The Marriage Lie , a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist for Best Mystery & Thriller, and the co-authored #1 Audible Original, Young Rich Widows . Kimberly’s novels have been optioned for film and television and selected by LibraryReads and Amazon & Apple Books Editors as Best Books of the Month, and the International Thriller Writers as nominee for best book of the year. She divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam.
Mon, June 10, 2024
How to write a reliable unreliable narrator with bestselling author, Carol LaHines.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Dick Wybrow as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including the Romance Writers of America filing for bankruptcy, Polis Books, and how Costco plans to stop selling books year round. Then, stick around for a chat with Carol LaHines! Carol LaHines : For me, the most affecting stories are those that are leavened with a sardonic sensibility. Italo Calvino, one of my favorite writers, notes “th[e] particular connection between melancholy and humor,” speaking of how great writing “foregrounds [with] tiny, luminous traces that counterpoint the dark catastrophe.” I've always veered toward the great literary comic writers—from Cervantes to Laurence Sterne to Pynchon, with a particular reverence for Nabokov, who believed that the best writing places the reader under a spell. My debut novel, Someday Everything Will All Make Sense, was a finalist for the Nilsen Prize for a First Novel and an American Fiction Award. My second novel, The Vixen Amber Halloway, is forthcoming in 2024 (Regal House). My fiction has appeared in journals including Fence, Denver Quarterly, Hayden's Ferry Review, Cimarron Review, The Literary Review, The Laurel Review, South Dakota Review, North Dakota Quarterly, The South Carolina Review, The Chattahoochee Review, The Nebraska Review, North Atlantic Review, Sycamore Review, Permafrost, redivider, Literary Orphans, and Literal Latte. My story, “Papijack,” was selected by judge Patrick Ryan as the recipient of the Lamar York Prize for Fiction. My short stories and novellas have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and been finalists for the David Meyerson Fiction Prize, the Mary McCarthy Prize, the New Letters short story award, and the Disquiet Literary Prize, among others. My nonfiction includes “New York est une ville a part,” appearing in chantier d’ecriture (Mémoire d’encrier, A. Heminway, ed.). I am a graduate of New York University, Gallatin Division, and of St. John's University School of Law. My teachers include Rick Moody, Phil Schultz, and Sheila Kohler.
Mon, June 03, 2024
Ellery Lloyd - Writing hit fiction with husband and wife team, Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including the Amazon Audible Audiobook Antitrust, Microsoft’s AI deal with UAE, the 2024 U.S. Book Show, and Beventi. Then, stick around for a chat with Ellery Lloyd! Ellery Lloyd – Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos Collette Lyons is a journalist and editor, the former content director of Elle (UK) and editorial director at Soho House. She has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Sunday Times. Paul Vlitos is the author of two previous novels, Welcome to the Working Week and Every Day is Like Sunday. He is the program director for English Literature with Creative Writing at the University of Surrey.
Mon, May 27, 2024
King of the Hill, Beavis and Butt-Head, Just Shoot Me, and more with TV writer, Michael Jamin.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Penguin Random House dismissing two of its top publishers, why Scarlett Johansson is angered over a new ChatGPT voice, and A24 striking a deal with publishing house Mack. Then, stick around for a chat with author Michael Jamin! Michael Jamin has been writing for television since 1996. His many credits include Just Shoot Me, King of the Hill, Beavis & Butthead, Wilfred, Out of Practice, Rules of Engagement, Lopez and Tacoma FD. He’s also served as Executive Producer/Showrunner on Glenn Martin DDS, Maron, and Rhett & Link’s Buddy System. Michael currently lives in Los Angeles where he continues to work in TV and is the author of the forthcoming collection, A Paper Orchestra.
Mon, May 20, 2024
NYT Bestseller Kate White explains why "What if" are the two most important words in an author's toolbox.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Laureate Alice Munro, the DOJ’s suit to block Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster, how OpenAI destroyed a trove of books used to train AI models, and GPT-4o. Then, stick around for a chat with author Kate White! Kate White is the New York Times , Wall Street Journal , and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen novels of suspense: ten standalone psychological thrillers, including the upcoming The Last Time She Saw Him (May ’24), and also eight Bailey Weggins mysteries. For fourteen years Kate served as the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan , which under her became the most successful magazine in single copy sales in the U.S. Though she loved her magazine career, she decided to leave ten years ago to concentrate full-time on another passion: writing suspense fiction. Kate’s first mystery, If Looks Could Kill , was a Kelly Ripa Book Club pick, a #1 bestseller on Amazon, and an instant New York Times bestseller. She has been nominated for an International Thriller Writers Award in the fiction category, and her books have been published in over 30 countries worldwide. Like many female mystery authors, Kate fell in love with the genre after reading her first Nancy Drew book, in her case The Secret of Redgate Farm . Kate is a frequent speaker at libraries, book conferences, and organizations, and has appeared on many television shows, including The Today Show , CBS This Morning , Morning Joe , and Good Morning America. She is also the editor of the Mystery Writers of America Cookbook , as well as the author of several bestselling career books, including I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This and the ground-breaking Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. Kate is an avid traveler and enjoys spending each winter with her husband at their home in Uruguay. She holds an honorary doctorate of letters from her alma mater, Union College, where she gave the 2022 commencement speech.
Mon, May 13, 2024
KimBoo York Explains Proximity and Branding in Serial Fiction.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, Kevin Tumlinson, and Dick Wybrow as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Simon & Schuster acquiring Holland’s VBK, KDP Virtual Voice Beta's Audible titles, and how a billionaire who helped bring ‘3-Body Problem’ to Netflix was killed by his business partner. Then, stick around for a chat with author KimBoo York! KimBoo York : I’m K.C. York and I enjoy telling stories, but otherwise I’m pretty trustworthy. I used to be the kid who stayed up late at night reading books under the covers with a flashlight…and honestly not a lot has changed. I’m a professional author who enjoys encouraging other writers to Write The Thing, and yes, I have a long standing love affair with fanfiction for which I will never apologize! I’m over 50 years old and proud that I made it this far.
Mon, May 06, 2024
Writers, Ink Podcast: Episode 241 — Genre hopping from romance to thriller with author Sarina Bowen.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including the world’s first book with a ‘NO-AI’ warranty, how you can clone your voice for audio production, and the prison book program. Then, stick around for a chat with author Sarina Bowen! Sarina Bowen is a 24-time USA Today bestselling author, and a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance novels. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University. A New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country in the 1760s, Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. She lives with her family on a few wooded acres in New Hampshire. Sarina's books are published in over a dozen languages with fifteen international publishers.
Sun, April 28, 2024
Character analysis using AutoCrit with Daniel Kaplan.
Join hosts Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including AI that will create audiobooks for foreign titles, Don Winslow's retirement, and how "no one buys books." Then, stick around for a chat with AutoCrit's Daniel Kaplan! AutoCrit began humbly as the brainchild of an unpublished writer with dreams of becoming an author. She faced a common problem: how could she get expert, unbiased feedback on her writing without breaking the bank? Writers’ groups, critique partners, and other beta readers weren’t at the expert level, and friends and family weren’t unbiased. Getting feedback took time, and the quality of the feedback was hit-or-miss. Hiring a professional editor was an expensive investment, especially for early, unpolished drafts.
Mon, April 22, 2024
Vampires in Alaska with bestselling author, CJ Tudor.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including how the U.K.’s biggest publishers are using AI, Amazon adding Andrew Ng, and Amazon putting all three Claude AI models on Bedrock. Then, stick around for a chat with author CJ Tudor! C. J. Tudor 's love of writing, especially the dark and macabre, started young. When her peers were reading Judy Blume, she was devouring Stephen King and James Herbert. Over the years she has had a variety of jobs, including trainee reporter, radio scriptwriter, dog walker, voiceover artist, television presenter, copywriter and, now, author. Her first novel, The Chalk Man, was a Sunday Times bestseller, has sold in over forty countries and will be developed into a six-part drama with BBC Studios Production. Her second novel, The Taking of Annie Thorne, was also a Sunday Times bestseller as was her third novel The Other People. Her fourth novel, The Burning Girls, was a Richard and Judy Book Club selection and is being adapted for Paramount+ by award-winning screenwriter Hans Rosenfeldt, creator of The Bridge and Marcella. She lives in Sussex, England with her family.
Mon, April 15, 2024
Writing yourself as a fictional character with NY Times Bestseller Anthony Horowitz.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Storiaverse launching a groundbreaking mobile entertainment app, IngramSpark Shareable Purchase Links, and how Meta stole everyone's books. Then, stick around for a chat with author Anthony Horowitz! Anthony Horowitz is one of the most prolific and successful writers working in the UK – and is unique for working across so many media. Anthony is a born polymath; juggling writing books, TV series, films, plays and journalism. Anthony has written over 50 books including the bestselling teen spy series Alex Rider, which is estimated to have sold 21 million copies worldwide and has been turned into a hugely successful TV series by Amazon Freevee. A third series has just been filmed and the fourteenth Alex Rider novel, Nightshade: Revenge will be published in 2023. Anthony is also an acclaimed writer for adults and was commissioned to write two new Sherlock Holmes novels The House of Silk and Moriarty. He was commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate to write continuation novels for James Bond with Trigger Mortis and Forever and Day, published in 2015 and 2018 respectively. A third novel in the series With a Mind to Kill was published in May 2022. Anthony’s award-winning novel Magpie Murders was published in October 2016 to critical acclaim and was serialised on BritBox at the beginning of 2022 with Lesley Manville in the lead role. It will be televised on the BBC in 2023. The sequel, Moonflower Murders, will begin filming in September 2023. His new series featuring Detective Hawthorne and a sidekick called Anthony Horowitz has four books so far: The Word is Murder, The Sentence is Death, A Line to Kill and the recently published The Twist of a Knife. Anthony has just started work on a fifth: Close to Death. Anthony is responsible for creating and writing some of the UK’s most beloved and successful television series, producing the first seven episodes (and the title) of Midsomer Murders. He is the writer and creator of award-winning drama series Foyle’s War, which was the Winner of the Lew Grade Audience award for BAFTA. DCS Foyle was voted the nation’s favourite detective in 2011. Anthony has also written other original complex dramas for ITV, particularly thrillers. Collision, a major five part “state of the nation” piece was transmitted on ITV1 in November 2009 to seven million viewers a night. He followed this with the equally successful legal thriller Injustice, also for ITV 1 - transmitted in June 2011. Foyle’s War returned in March 2013 as a Cold War thriller and was greeted with such critical acclaim and demands for more that he wrote one final series, bringing the show to an end in January 2015. Anthony's series, New Blood, premiered on the BBC in 2016. In 2019 Anthony became a Patron to Home-Start in Suffolk, a small local family support charity working with fa
Mon, April 08, 2024
The six elements necessary to every story with bestselling author, Steven James.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Small Press Distribution shutting down, deals rebounding in the first quarter, and how Google is considering charging for AI-powered search. Then, stick around for a chat with author Steven James! Steven James is a critically acclaimed author of eighteen novels and numerous nonfiction books that have sold more than 1 million copies. His books have won or been shortlisted for dozens of national and international awards. In addition, his stories and articles have appeared in more than eighty different publications, including the New York Times . He is also a popular keynote speaker and professional storyteller with a master’s degree in storytelling. Since 1996, James has appeared more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe, presenting his stories and teaching the principles of storytelling to writers, speakers, teachers, and leaders. He also hosts the weekly podcast The Story Blender , on which he has interviewed more than 150 of the world’s leading writers and storytellers. In 2020, he was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame for excellence in fiction writing. Publishers Weekly has called him “[a] master storyteller at the peak of his game.”
Mon, April 01, 2024
Savants, Camelot Music, and his writing process. Bestselling author Carter Wilson takes us back to the '80s with his latest thriller.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including the KDP invitation-only beta for audiobooks, new Association of American Publishers (AAP) data, and how to train ‘the horses of enlightenment.' Then, stick around for a chat with author Carter Wilson! Carter Wilson is the USA Today bestselling author of nine critically acclaimed, standalone psychological thrillers , as well as numerous short stories. He is an ITW Thriller Award finalist, a five-time winner of the Colorado Book Award, and his works have been optioned for television and film. Carter lives in Erie, Colorado in a Victorian house that is spooky but isn’t haunted…yet. Born in New Mexico in 1970, Carter grew up primarily in Los Angeles before attending Cornell University in New York. He lived in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Miami before moving to Boulder, Colorado in 1996. Throughout his life, Carter has journeyed the globe for both work and pleasure, and his travels have been a constant source of inspiration in his fiction. Carter’s writing career began on a spring day in 2003, when an exercise to ward off boredom during a continuing-education class evolved into a 400-page manuscript. Since that day, Carter has been constantly writing. In addition to his published novels, Carter has also contributed short fiction to various publications, and most notably was featured in the R.L. Stine young-adult anthology Scream and Scream Again .
Mon, March 25, 2024
A career born in fairy tales with Bram Stoker Award-winning "quiet horror" author, Cynthia Pelayo.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Gabriel García Márquez’s sons publishing his final novel, Elon Musk releasing Chatbot Code, and US publishers filing a brief opposing internet archive’s appeal. Then, stick around for a chat with author Cynthia Pelayo! Cynthia Pelayo is a Bram Stoker Award winning and International Latino Book Award winning author and poet. Pelayo writes fairy tales that blend genre and explore concepts of grief, mourning, and cycles of violence. She is the author of Loteria , Santa Muerte , The Missing , Poems of My Night , Into the Forest and All the Way Through , Children of Chicago , Crime Scene , The Shoemaker’s Magician , as well as dozens of standalone short stories and poems. Her forthcoming novel, The Forgotten Sisters , will be released by Thomas and Mercer in 2024 and is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Her works have been reviewed in The New York Times , Chicago Tribune , LA Review of Books , and more.
Mon, March 18, 2024
From Graphic Novels to the Satanic Panic of the 90s with RAINBOW BLACK author, Maggie Thrash.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including the House passing a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban, Maven's AI books that allow readers to interactively text, and how libraries are struggling to afford the demand for e-books. Then, stick around for a chat with author Maggie Thrash! Maggie Thrash is the author of the critically acclaimed graphic memoirs Honor Girl, which was nominated for a Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Lost Soul, Be at Peace, as well as two novels for young adults. Rainbow Black is her first novel for adults. Born and raised in Atlanta, she lives in New Hampshire.
Mon, March 11, 2024
Publishing and screenwriting tips and tricks with award-winning ONLY HUMAN author, Audrey Wilson.
Join hosts JD Barker, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including upcoming changes to Kindle Vella, Spotify launching a new audiobook subscription tier, Audible's new royalty structure for independent writers and small publishers, and the formation of Authors Equity, a new publishing company. Then, stick around as Kevin chats with author Audrey Wilson! Audrey Wilson is an award-winning writer and screenwriter with a BA in Television Writing and Producing from Columbia College Chicago. Having written her whole life, Audrey's passion has led her to the publication of her debut novel from Dreaming Big Publications, Wrong Girl Gone . While Wrong Girl Gone may be Audrey's first novel, she's no stranger to writing. Audrey has written over fifteen screenplays and television episodes, and has won a variety of awards for her writing, including a regional Emmy nomination. Her newest novel, Only Human is now available from Flashpoint Publications. When she's not glued to her laptop screen, you'll find Audrey going to the movies or reading a good book. Audrey lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, rescued dog and two cats, where she continues getting swept away in her writing on a nightly basis.
Tue, March 05, 2024
Journalism, philosophy, and biohacking with bestseller, Kira Piekoff.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including how ChatGPT helped write a Japanese award winning novel, the Lee & Low Books diversity baseline survey, and Neil Gaiman's comic art collection auction. Then, stick around as Christine chats with author Kira Peikoff! Kira Peikoff is the author of Mother Knows Best, Living Proof, No Time to Die , and Die Again Tomorrow . She has a degree in journalism from New York University and master's in bioethics from Columbia. Her reported articles have appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics and other outlets. She now works in biotech communications helping spread the word about transformative developments in the life sciences. Peikoff is a proud member of The Authors Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons.
Mon, March 04, 2024
Episode 232 — Journalism, philosophy, and biohacking with bestseller, Kira Peikoff.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including how ChatGPT helped write a Japanese award winning novel, the Lee & Low Books diversity baseline survey, and Neil Gaiman's comic art collection auction. Then, stick around as Christine chats with author Kira Peikoff! Kira Peikoff is the author of Mother Knows Best, Living Proof, No Time to Die , and Die Again Tomorrow . She has a degree in journalism from New York University and master's in bioethics from Columbia. Her reported articles have appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics and other outlets. She now works in biotech communications helping spread the word about transformative developments in the life sciences. Peikoff is a proud member of The Authors Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/writersink/support
Mon, February 26, 2024
From Batman to thrillers, how working in comics has influenced NYT bestseller Gregg Hurwitz.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including science fiction authors being excluded from the Hugo Awards for fear of offending China, how romance bookstores took over America, and OpenAI Sora. Then, stick around as Christine chats with author Gregg Hurwitz! Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 24 thrillers including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, comics for AWA (including the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), DC, and Marvel, and poetry. Currently, Gregg is actively working against polarization in politics and culture. To that end, he's penned op eds for The Wall Street Journal , The Guardian , The Bulwark and others, and has produced several hundred commercials which got over a hundred million views on digital TV platforms. He also helped write the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.
Mon, February 19, 2024
The one where NYT bestseller Katherine Arden explains how the devil might react to a hell created by people.
Join hosts JD Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Simon & Schuster being bought by a private equity firm, Open AI book lawsuits, and how a judge's ruling is impacting AI companies. Then, stick around as Christine chats with author Katherine Arden! Katherine Arden is the New York Times bestselling author of the Winternight trilogy and the Small Spaces Quartet. In addition to writing, she enjoys aimless travel, growing vegetables, and running wild through the woods with her dog, Moose. She lives in Vermont. For more information about Katherine, check out this page on her website: https://katherineardenbooks.com/about-the-author
Mon, February 12, 2024
The one where Joanna Goodman explains how to be in the present moment and write the book.
Join hosts Christine Daigle, Jena Brown and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including the Corporate Transparency Act, Spotify paying audio book publishers tens of millions in royalties, and Soho Press's Horror Imprint, Hell's Hundred. Then, stick around as Christine chats with author Joanna Goodman! Joanna Goodman is the author of six novels, including the #1 national bestseller, The Home for Unwanted Girls , which was on The Globe & Mail’s Fiction bestseller list for more than six months, as well as The Forgotten Daughter and The Finishing School , both national bestsellers. Her stories have appeared in The Fiddlehead, B & A Fiction, Event, The New Quarterly, and White Wall Review, as well as excerpted in Elisabeth Harvor’s fiction anthology A Room at the Heart of Things. Originally from Montreal, Joanna now lives in Toronto with her husband and two kids. Her next novel, The Inheritance , will be out in March ’24 with Harper Collins.
Mon, February 05, 2024
The one where author Nick Petrie explains how talking to veterans has helped him shape his iconic character, Peter Ash.
Join hosts J.D. Barker and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including more advances in Chat GPT and the rollout of Author Nation. Then, stick around as JP chats with thriller author Nick Petrie! Nick Petrie received his MFA in fiction from the University of Washington. His first novel, The Drifter , won the ITW Thriller and Barry Awards and was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Hammett Awards. Now seven books into the series, his eighth and latest Peter Ash novel, The Price You Pay , releases tomorrow, February 6, and is available for preorder now. Check It Out! The Price You Pay - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-heavy-lift/18868754 Check out the first episode of the AuthorNation Podcast! - https://youtu.be/uUc3cDfofO4?si=CFHsUDucQd85TIMt More info on AuthorNation - https://www.authornation.live Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Nick Petrie - https://nickpetrie.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley and recorded at Mill Pond Studio Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writers
Mon, January 29, 2024
The one where literary agent Lucinda Halpern explains the essential element to getting published.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including another ballot controversy surrounding the Hugo Awards. Then, stick around as Christine chats with literary agent Lucinda Halpern! With over fifteen years of experience in corporate and agency publishing, Lucinda serves both sides of the literary and business worlds. An editorially invested partner with a specialty in book marketing strategy, she has an “all-in” dedication and work ethic when it comes to representing authors and a track record of procuring top media placements, lecture engagements, and TV/film deals for her clients. Her new book Get Signed: Find An Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author releases February 6 and is available for preorder now . Check It Out! Learn more about Get Signed - https://www.getsignedbook.com/ Lucinda's gift to listeners of Writers, Ink! - https://www.getsignedbook.com/gift/ Kevin and AuthorNation would love your input! - https://www.authornation.live/deepdive "An 8-year-old made a comic book and hid it in a library. Now there's a waitlist to read it." [via USA Today ] - https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/02/01/idaho-boy-book-adventures-dillon-library-waitlist/9296042002/ Science fiction awards held in China under fire for excluding authors [via The Guardian ] - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/24/science-fiction-awards-held-in-china-under-fire-for-excluding-authors Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Lucinda Halpern - <a href="https://luc
Mon, January 22, 2024
The one where author Brock Swinson explains how to defend your time and get the writing done.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle & JP Rindfleisch as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including a look at how different generations interact with media (via WattPad.) Then, stick around as Christine chats with author, screenwriter, and podcast host Brock Swinson! Brock Swinson is an interviewer for Creative Screenwriting and host of the Creative Principles podcast, where he interviews writers, directors, actors, and musicians such as Aaron Sorkin, Ethan Hawke, and Judd Apatow, about the habits, routines, and methods of a creative life. Brock's latest book is called Ink In The Barrel: Secrets From Prolific Writers and is available for free on his website . Pick up a copy in audio or digital and help Brock reach his goal of giving away 100,000 copies! Check It Out! Grab Ink In The Barrel for free! - https://www.brockswinson.com/ink Creative Screenwriting | Creative Principles Podcast - https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/ | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-principles/id1292130289 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Brock Swinson - https://www.brockswinson.com TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https
Mon, January 15, 2024
The one where author Jami Attenberg provides gold to help you hit your word-count goals and get your book to the finish line.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including some positive news out of Barnes & Noble. Then, stick around as JP chats with author and #1000wordsofsummer founder Jami Attenberg! Jami Attenberg has written about food, travel, books, relationships, and urban life for The New York Times Magazine , The New Yorker , The Wall Street Journal , the Sunday Times , The Guardian , and others. She is a New York Times bestselling author of seven works of fiction, including The Middlesteins and All Grown Up . Her latest non-fiction book, 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round , was released on January 9 and is available now in ebook and audio. Check It Out! 1000 Words - https://www.amazon.com/1000-Words-Writers-Creative-Productive-ebook/dp/B0C7RLR19M The Dialogue Doctor: The Language of Love (A Masterclass in Story Intimacy) - https://dialoguedoctor.teachable.com/p/story-intimacy JD's robot snowblower in action - https://www.tiktok.com/@jdbarker_author/video/7321512733466250538 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Jami Attenberg - https://www.jamiattenberg.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - <a href="https://booktrib.com/aut
Mon, January 08, 2024
The one where author Matthew Blake tells us how he went from writing screenplays to crafting a debut thriller that sold for millions.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including some chatter on works entering the public domain (Steamboat Willie slasher, anybody?) Then, stick around as Christine chats with speechwriter-turned-novelist Matthew Blake! Matthew Blake is a London-based author who has also worked as a screenwriter with the BBC, ITV Studios, and numerous other UK indies. Before writing fiction, Matthew worked as a researcher and speechwriter at the Palace of Westminster. His debut novel, Anna O , became an international sensation on submission, garnering 16 offers within 48 hours before going on to secure multiple record-breaking deals around the globe. It was released in the US on January 2nd and is available now wherever books are sold. Check It Out! Anna O - https://bookshop.org/p/books/anna-o-matthew-blake/20231802 Steamboat slasher news - https://globalnews.ca/news/10203806/mickey-mouse-steamboat-willie-horror-movie/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Matthew Blake - https://matthew-blake.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley and recorded at Mill Pond Studio Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - <a href="https://twitter.
Mon, January 01, 2024
The one where author Natalie Haynes explains how she juggles fiction, non-fiction, touring, and a radio show for the BBC.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including a damning plagiarism claim against one of indie publishing's biggest stars. Then, stick around as Christine chats with bestselling author Natalie Haynes! Natalie Haynes, author of THE FURIES ( THE AMBER FURY in the UK), is a graduate of Cambridge University and an award-winning comedian, journalist, and broadcaster. She judged the Man Booker Prize in 2013 and was a judge for the final Orange Prize in 2012. Her BBC Radio 4 program, Natalie Haynes Stands Up for The Classics , is in its ninth season, and her latest book, Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth , releases in America tomorrow, January 2, from Harper Perennial. Check It Out! Divine Might - https://bookshop.org/p/books/divine-might-goddesses-in-greek-myth-natalie-haynes/20297713 Natalie Haynes Stands Up for The Classics - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b077x8pc The ALA's Prison Library wishlist (Amazon) - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2NQXW3DD8V7HZ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Natalie Haynes - https://nataliehaynes.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://boo
Mon, December 25, 2023
The one where two bookseller veterans explain what it takes for authors to get on their shelves.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including an array of copyright calamities. Then, stick around as Christine chats with bookseller veterans Danny Caine and Josh Cook! Danny Caine is the author of several poetry collections and non-fiction, including How To Protect Bookstores and Why , which was released in September. A Midwest Independent Booksellers Association award-winner, Caine is also a co-owner of the Raven Book Store , Publishers Weekly 's 2022 bookstore of the year. Josh Cook is a bookseller at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His fiction, criticism, and poetry have appeared in numerous magazines and journals, such as Book Slut , The Rumpus , and The Millions . His latest non-fiction novel, The Art of Libromancy , was released in August and is available now wherever books are sold. Check It Out! How To Protect Bookstores and Why - https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-protect-bookstores-and-why-the-present-and-future-of-bookselling-danny-caine/19741881 The Art of Libromancy - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-art-of-libromancy-on-selling-books-and-reading-books-in-the-twenty-first-century-josh-cook/18644871 Bookstore Bonanza! - https://www.ravenbookstore.com/ | https://www.portersquarebooks.com/ | https://riverrunbookstore.com/ | https://larkandowlbooksellers.com/ | https://www.maze-books.com/shop | <a href="https://www.biblioasis.com/" target="_blank"
Mon, December 18, 2023
The one where NYT bestsellers Robin & Michael J. Sullivan cover the pros and cons of indie, trad, and hybrid publishing.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including an absolutely stunning bit of self-sabotage from the debut author trenches. Then, stick around as Christine chats with seasoned publishing team Robin and Michael J. Sullivan! Michael J. Sullivan is a New York Times , USA Today , and Washington Post bestselling American writer of epic fantasy and science fiction, best known for his debut series The Riyria Revelations , which has been translated into fourteen languages. His wife, Robin, runs the business side of things and helps Michael and other authors all over the world navigate the worlds of indie, traditional, and hybrid publishing. Check It Out! The Riyria Revelations - https://www.amazon.com/Riyria-Revelations-3-book-series/dp/B074CG96KL An excellent Cait Corrain breakdown from an author who helped uncover it - https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8u54Vwn/ "E-books are fast becoming tools of corporate surveillance" (via Fast Company ) - https://www.fastcompany.com/90996547/e-books-are-fast-becoming-tools-of-corporate-surveillance "Remember What Spotify Did to the Music Industry? Books Are Next." (via The New York Times ) - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/13/opinion/audiobooks-spotify-streaming-algorithm.html Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Michael J. Sullivan - https://riyria.blogspot.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocri
Mon, December 11, 2023
The one where Tyler Wagner explains how Authors Unite can take your publishing career to the next level.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including Sports Illustrated's AI controversy. Then, stick around as Christine chats with author and indie publishing professional Tyler Wagner! Tyler Wagner is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and podcast host with over half a million followers on social media. He's also the founder of Authors Unite , where he helps authors learn how to become profitable and maximize their impact through publishing, editing, writing, and marketing. Check It Out! Authors Unite - https://authorsunite.com/ Preorder Kevin's new book, God Mode - https://books2read.com/godmode Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Tyler Wagner - https://authorsunite.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley and recorded at Mill Pond Studio Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/horrorstoic Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - <a href="https://writersinkpod
Mon, December 04, 2023
The one where bestseller Caz Frear explains why she submitted a novel for awards before she actually wrote it.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including the continued growth of the audiobook market. Then, stick around as Christine chats with bestselling author Caz Frear! Caz Frear has a degree in History & Politics, and when she’s not agonizing over snappy dialogue or incisive prose, she can be found shouting at Arsenal football matches. Her first Cat Kinsella mystery was the smash hit Sweet Little Lies . Her latest novel (a standalone) is called Five Bad Deeds and releases December 5th. Check It Out! Five Bad Deeds - https://bookshop.org/p/books/five-bad-deeds-caz-frear/19880129 Patrick's interview with AuthorNation's Joe Solari - https://www.copsandwriters.com/podcast-1/episode/7c571135/146-joe-solari-helping-indie-authors-maximize-profits-and-gives-us-the-inside-scoop-on-author-nation-live Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Caz Frear - https://twitter.com/CazziF Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley and recorded at Mill Pond Studio Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/horrorstoic <
Mon, November 27, 2023
The one where bestseller Wendy Whitman explains our fascination with true crime and how to incorporate it into your fiction.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including some troubling concerns around NaNoWriMo. Then, stick around as Christine chats with former Court TV producer and current crime novelist Wendy Whitman! Wendy Whitman has a unique background through her decades-long work as an executive and producer for HLN and Court TV, where she received three Telly Awards and two GLAAD nominations. Since turning her attention to writing, Whitman has published two crime thriller novels: Premonition and the sequel, Retribution , which was released back in July and is available now. Check It Out! The Deer Killer Series by Wendy Whitman - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5MYR45G NaNoWriMo controversy (via @Arumi_kai's X thread) - https://twitter.com/Arumi_kai/status/1722007756058574916 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Wendy Whitman - https://wendywhitman.com/ Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/horrorstoic Website Design by
Mon, November 20, 2023
The one where NYT Bestseller James Ellroy details his process. How does it differ from yours?
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including some optimistic publishing predictions from the stage of the 74th National Book Awards. Then, stick around as Christine chats with crime fiction legend James Ellroy! Called "The American Dostoyevsky" by Joyce Carol Oates, James Ellroy is the author of the Underworld U.S.A. Trilogy: American Tabloid , The Cold Six Thousand , and Blood’s a Rover, and the L.A. Quartet novels: The Black Dahlia , The Big Nowhere , L.A. Confidential , and White Jazz . His latest novel, The Enchanters , came out in September and is available now wherever books are sold. Check It Out! The Enchanters - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-enchanters-james-ellroy/19462467 James Ellroy's American Tabloid : A Full Cast Audio Drama (An Audible Exclusive) - https://www.amazon.com/James-Ellroys-American-Tabloid-Audio/dp/B0CJ16ZQQH Write Publish Profit 6.0: Join The Waiting List! - https://infostack.io/stack/wpp6/ "David Steinberger’s Narrative" (via Publishing Perspectives ) - https://publishingperspectives.com/2023/11/the-national-book-awards-david-steinbergers-narrative/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ James Ellroy - https://www.jamesellroy.net/ Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com
Mon, November 13, 2023
The one where NYT bestsellers Beth and Boyd Morrison explain why every book should have dragons.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including an update on Simon & Schuster's new owners. Then, stick around as Christine chats with brother and sister writing duo Boyd and Beth Morrison! Boyd Morrison is a #1 NY Times bestselling author, actor, engineer, and Jeopardy! Champion. Beth Morrison is Senior Curator of Manuscripts at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Their new novel, The Last True Templar , is a follow-up to their first collaboration, The Lawless Land , and is the second book in their "Tales From The Lawless Land" series. It is available now wherever books are sold. Check It Out! The Last True Templar - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-true-templar-volume-2-boyd-morrison/19781594 "The End of an Era: The Wall Street Journal’s Bestseller Lists Discontinued" (via NY Weekly) - https://nyweekly.com/news/the-end-of-an-era-the-wall-street-journals-bestseller-lists-discontinued/ "Spotify Launches 200,000-Plus Audiobooks for Premium Subscribers in the U.S." (via Variety ) - https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/spotify-premium-audiobooks-subscribers-us-1235784076/ "SAG-AFTRA Reveals Details of Strike-Ending Deal With Hollywood Studios" (via Rolling Stone )- https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/sag-aftra-board-approves-deal-with-hollywood-studios-end-strike-1234875654/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ <
Mon, November 06, 2023
The one where Sally Gardner explains why you need to take your main characters out to dinner.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including an update on Simon & Schuster's new owners. Then, stick around as Christine chats with successful theatre costume designer turned-author and illustrator Sally Gardner! Sally Gardner gained a first-class degree at a leading London art college and became a successful theatre costume designer before illustrating and writing books. Her debut novel, I, Coriander, won the Nestle Gold Award, and she is also a Costa and Carnegie prize winner. Her latest novel, The Weather Woman , was released in September by Head of Zeus Press. Check It Out! The Weather Woman - https://www.amazon.com/Weather-Woman-Sally-Gardner-ebook/dp/B09MXD9MCV/ Kevin's Announcement! - https://www.openpr.com/news/3272937/kevin-tumlinson-assumes-role-of-ceo-for-next-chapter "KKR Closes Deal to Buy Simon & Schuster" (via The New York Times ) - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/books/kkr-simon-schuster-sale.html Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Sally Gardner - https://www.sallygardner.net Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley -
Mon, October 30, 2023
The one where Mariana Zapata explains how she received over a quarter BILLION views on TikTok.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Book Riot's thoughts on the future of bookstores. Then, stick around as Christine chats with romance author Mariana Zapata! Mariana Zapata is a former indie author who recently signed a trad deal for her latest best-selling novel, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me . She also has an excellent handle on TikTok—at last check, she had over a quarter billion views! Mariana lives in a small town in Colorado with her husband and two oversized children—her beloved Great Danes, Dorian and Kaiser. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, spending time outside, forcing kisses on her boys, or pretending to write. Check It Out! The Wall of Winnipeg and Me - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wall-of-winnipeg-and-me-mariana-zapata/16712489 PRH Announce "Freedom of Expression" Prize For High School Students - https://goodereader.com/blog/commentary/penguin-random-house-introduces-high-school-award-to-defend-literature-against-book-bans Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Mariana Zapata - https://www.marianazapata.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus -
Mon, October 23, 2023
The one where Andrew Child explains what goes into writing the 28th Jack Reacher book with his brother, Lee Child.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Book Riot's thoughts on the future of bookstores. Then, stick around as Christine chats with bestselling author Andrew Child! Andrew Child is a British author who also writes as Andrew Grant. He is the author of several books, including the David Trevellyan series and the Paul McGrath series. For the last several years, Andrew has worked alongside his brother Lee Child on the latter's blockbuster Jack Reacher books in preparation for taking over the series. The duo's fourth and latest Reacher collaboration, The Secret , drops tomorrow, October 24, and is available for preorder now. Check It Out! The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-secret-a-jack-reacher-novel-lee-child/19630515 Andrew Child's previous Writers, Ink appearances - Episode 106 , Episode 157 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Andrew Child - https://www.jackreacher.com/us/authors/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Written Word Media - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/ Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - <a href="https
Mon, October 16, 2023
The one where Richard Chizmar explains the art of telling a fiction tale as “true crime."
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Book Riot's thoughts on the future of bookstores. Then, stick around as J.P. talks with New York Times bestselling author Richard Chizmar. Richard Chizmar is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling Gwendy’s Button Box trilogy and is the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies, and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories . His latest novel, Becoming The Boogeyman , the follow-up to his 2021 smash hit, Chasing The Boogeyman , was released on October 10 and is available wherever books are sold. Check It Out! Becoming The Boogeyman - https://bookshop.org/p/books/becoming-the-boogeyman-richard-chizmar/19726757 Richard Chizmar on Writers, Ink - Episode 12 , Episode 94 "Are Co-Op Bookstores the Future of Bookselling?" via Book Riot - https://bookriot.com/co-op-bookstores Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Richard Chizmar - https://richardchizmar.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click
Mon, October 09, 2023
The one where Ashley Winstead explains story arcs and why Twilight was important.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including some exciting publishing news for our very own J.D.! Then, stick around as Christine chats with Ashley Winstead. Ashley Winstead is the author of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and The Last Housewife . She holds a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature and a B.A. in English and art history. She lives in Houston, Texas, where she drinks red wine and dreams up novels. Her latest, Midnight is The Darkest Hour , was released last week, October 3, and is available wherever books are sold! Check It Out! Midnight is The Darkest Hour - https://bookshop.org/p/books/midnight-is-the-darkest-hour-ashley-winstead/19462760 Simon & Schuster Team Up With J.D. Barker Imprint, Hampton Creek Press - https://bit.ly/3rH78YX Lit Agent Laura Zats' Twitter Thread on Lit Agent Landscape - https://twitter.com/LZats/status/1707414688173064584 Can Spotify Take Digital Audiobooks to the Next Level? (via Publishers Weekly ) - https://bit.ly/3rO2atp Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ ] Ashley Winstead - https://www.ashleywinstead.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Written Word Media - <a href="https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noo
Mon, October 02, 2023
The one where Daniel Sweren-Becker takes a stab at explaining our complicated relationship with true crime.
Join hosts Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including the victorious end of the WGA Writers Strike! Then, stick around as Christine chats with novelist and TV writer Daniel Sweren-Becker. Daniel Sweren-Becker is an author, television writer, and playwright living in Los Angeles. His play Stress Positions premiered in New York City at the SoHo Playhouse. He grew up in Manhattan. He is the author of the novels The Ones and The Equals. His latest novel, Kill Show , releases tomorrow, October 3, and is available for preorder now! Check It Out! Kill Show: A True Crime Novel - https://bit.ly/3F4oGBe Dialogue Dash—Registration open until October 6! - https://dialoguedoctor.teachable.com/p/dialoguedash "The Hollywood writers’ strike is over — and they won big" via Vox - https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/9/24/23888673/wga-strike-end-sag-aftra-contract Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Written Word Media - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/ Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep <p
Mon, September 25, 2023
The one where M.P. Woodward reveals how his tech work with Amazon Prime Video inspired him to write again.
Join hosts Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including a rash of "culture war" blowbacks on American libraries. Then, stick around as Patrick chats with naval intelligence officer turned thriller writer M.P. Woodward! M.P. Woodward is a veteran of both US intelligence ops and the entertainment industry. In multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf and the Far East, he worked alongside US Special Forces, CIA, and NSA. Most recently, Woodward ran international partner distribution for Amazon Prime and Prime Video. His latest novel, Dead Drop , was released back in May and is available wherever books are sold. Check It Out! Dead Drop - https://bookshop.org/p/books/dead-drop-m-p-woodward/18664396 "Red states quit nation’s oldest library group amid culture war over books" via The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/09/15/american-library-association-book-bans/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ M.P. Woodward - https://www.mpwoodward.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Written Word Media - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/ Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by N
Mon, September 18, 2023
The one where Khashayar J. Khabushani explains why you're not a real writer until you've cried over a typewriter (while passing through TSA).
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including a new lawsuit involving authors and OpenAI. Then, stick around as Kevin chats with debut novelist Khashayar Khabushani! Khashayar J. Khabushani was born in Van Nuys, California, in 1992. During his childhood, he spent time in Iran before returning to Los Angeles. He studied philosophy at California State University, Northridge, and prior to completing his MFA at Columbia University, he worked as a middle school teacher. [ source ] His debut novel, I Will Greet The Sun Again , was released on August 1 and is available now wherever books are sold. Check It Out! I Will Greet The Sun Again - https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-will-greet-the-sun-again-khashayar-j-khabushani/18824265 Patreon Goes "All In" On Community - https://blog.patreon.com/were-going-all-in-on-community-by-giving-fans-their-own-space-to-chat-and-connect "Book Publishing's Broken Blurb System," Esquire - https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a44948120/book-publishing-broken-blurbs-system/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Written Word Media - <a href="https://www.writtenwo
Mon, September 11, 2023
The one where Ryan Steck explains why he writes the epilogue first.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Amazon's newly released policy on AI works. Then, stick around as Kevin chats with "Real Book Spy" and thriller author Ryan Speck. Ryan Steck is a freelance editor, an author, and the founder and EIC of The Real Book Spy . Ryan has been named an "Online Influencer" by Amazon and is a regular columnist at CrimeReads. Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). His latest novel, Lethal Range (Book #2 in the Matthew Redd Thriller series), was released on August 8 and is available now. Check It Out! Ryan's Books on Amazon! - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09KQHNGHH The Authors Guild take on Amazon's AI policy - https://authorsguild.org/news/amazons-new-disclosure-policy-for-ai-generated-book-content-is-a-welcome-first-step/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Ryan Steck - https://therealbookspy.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Written Word Media - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/ Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Bo
Mon, September 04, 2023
The one where Nicholas Fillmore explains how he turned his time with an international smuggling ring into a solid memoir.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including a conversation about Kindle Unlimited's diminishing returns. Is Amazon exclusivity still worth it for authors? Then stick around as Kevin chats with author and memoirist Nicholas Fillmore! Nicholas Fillmore is the author of Smuggler , an IndieReader Discovery Award-winning memoir. Fillmore attended the graduate writing program at the University of New Hampshire and was a finalist for the Juniper Prize in poetry. He is currently working on Sins of Our Fathers, a novel, and The Genteel Pleasure of Anonymity, new and selected poems. His latest novella, The Gospel of Satan , was released in April and is available in paperback and ebook. Check It Out! Nicholas's Books on Amazon! — https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nicholas-Fillmore/author/B07KX92CZB The Gospel of Satan Book Trailer — https://youtu.be/_V7Sj7IkNLs?si=S3Ywx7MoHPDk0cDg Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Nicholas Fillmore - https://nicholasfillmore.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep<
Mon, August 28, 2023
The one where Stephen King's former assistant, Marsha DeFilippo, proves it's never too late to write that first book.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including PW 's look at BookTok's current publishing influence. Then stick around as Christine chats with professional assistant-turned-indie author, Marsha DeFilippo! After nearly 33 years as the King of Horror's personal assistant, Marsha decided it was time to write her own books! Entering self-publishing in 2020, DeFilippo is now five books deep, with the second entry in her Cozy Quilt Club mystery series, Finding The Treasure , available for preorder on Kindle now! Check It Out! Marsha's Books on Amazon! — https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09D888621/allbooks Amazon AI-Generated Review Summaries (via The Verge) — https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/14/23831391/amazon-review-summaries-generative-ai Publishers Weekly 's Look At BookTok — https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/93014-booktok-helped-book-sales-soar-how-long-will-that-last.html Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Marshall DeFilippo - https://marshadefilippo.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - <a href="https://booktrib.com/a
Mon, August 21, 2023
The one where Sara DiVello explains how to properly promote on social media.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including how AI is altering the audiobook landscape. Then stick around as Patrick chats with Mystery and Thriller Maven Sara DiVello! Sara DiVello is a true crime writer and the creator/host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens , a popular author series and interactive Facebook group . For her weekly live events, she has interviewed more than 300 authors, ranging from the bestselling and world-renowned (Dean Koontz, Lee Child, Karin Slaughter, and more!) to the buzziest debuts. Sara's own true-crime debut, Broadway Butterfly , released August 1 from Thomas & Mercer and is available now wherever books are sold! Check It Out! Broadway Butterfly on Bookshop.org - https://bookshop.org/p/books/broadway-butterfly-a-jazz-age-slaying-sara-divello/18982744 ITW's 10th Anniversary Online Thriller School - https://thrillerwriters.org/programs/online-thriller-school/ Kevin's Substack - https://kevintumlinson.substack.com/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Sara DiVello - https://www.saradivello.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) Other Links Best of BookTok - <a
Mon, August 14, 2023
The one where Josh Malerman explains why every story needs a good beat.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including the demise of the controversial web app prosecraft.io. Then stick around as Patrick chats with returning guest (and all-around rockstar) Josh Malerman! Josh Malerman is a New York Times bestselling author and one of two singer-songwriters for the rock band The High Strung . His debut novel, Bird Box , is the inspiration for the hit Netflix film of the same name. His other novels include Unbury Carol , Inspection , A House at the Bottom of a Lake , Pearl , Goblin , Daphne, and Malorie , the sequel to Bird Box . His latest collection, Spin a Black Yarn , releases tomorrow, August 15, from Del Rey. Check It Out! Spin a Black Yarn - https://bookshop.org/p/books/spin-a-black-yarn-five-short-novels-josh-malerman/17322952 Josh Malerman on Writers, Ink - Episode 154 , Episode 80 , Episode 5 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Josh Malerman - https://joshmalerman.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) <
Mon, August 07, 2023
The one where Marc Cameron explains what it's like to write for the Tom Clancy estate.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Kickstarter's new AI policy. Then stick around as Patrick chats with thriller author (and current Jack Ryan scribe) Marc Cameron! New York Times bestselling author Marc Cameron’s Jericho Quinn Thriller Series debuted in 2011. Since then, he’s written eight Quinn novels and four Arliss Cutter novels featuring a deputy US marshal based in Alaska, including the most recent Cutter entitled Breakneck . Marc is also the author of six Jack Ryan novels for the Tom Clancy estate, including the most recent, Red Winter , and the upcoming Command and Control (November 2023). Check It Out! Kickstarter's New AI Policy - https://updates.kickstarter.com/introducing-our-new-ai-policy/ The Latest Arliss Cutter Novel - https://bookshop.org/p/books/breakneck-marc-cameron/18693377 Preorder Command and Control ! - amazon.com/Clancy-Command-Control-Jack-Novel/dp/0593422848 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Marc Cameron - https://marccameronbooks.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) IngramSpark: Self-Publish Like a Pro! - <a href="https://selfpub.is/3NADWdg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer
Mon, July 31, 2023
The one where Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan explain the pros and cons of co-authoring.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including some thoughts on Twitter's sudden (and ill-advised?) rebranding. Then stick around as Kevin chats with horror authors Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan! Nick Cutter is the author of the critically acclaimed national bestseller The Troop (which is currently being developed for film with producer James Wan), as well as The Deep and Little Heaven . Andrew F. Sullivan is the author of The Marigold , a novel about a city eating itself, available now from ECW Press. Their latest project—a first collaboration between these two longtime friends—is called The Handyman Method , and releases August 8, 2023, from Gallery / Saga Press. Check It Out! Preorder The Handyman Method - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-handyman-method/18899610 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Andrew F. Sullivan - https://www.andrewfsullivan.com/ Nick Cutter - http://www.craigdavidson.net/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) IngramSpark: Self-Publish Like a Pro! - https://selfpub.is/3NADWdg Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com
Mon, July 24, 2023
The one where Kerrie Droban explains how to craft a true crime page-turner.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Penguin Random House's layoff announcement. Then stick around as Patrick chats with celebrated true crime writer, Kerrie Droban! Kerrie Droban is a criminal defense attorney and the award-winning author of several true-crime books, one of which was made into a television series called Gangland Undercover . She is a national speaker and expert consultant on criminal pathology, organized crime, and outlaw motorcycle gangs. Her most recent release, Aurora: The Psychiatrist Who Treated the Movie Theater Killer Tells Her Story , is available now. Check It Out! Aaron Sorkin's Masterclass - https://www.masterclass.com/classes/aaron-sorkin-teaches-screenwriting PW on PRH's Layoffs - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/92788-layoffs-begin-at-penguin-random-house-as-buyout-departures-come-into-focus.html Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Kerrie Droban - https://www.kerriedroban.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) IngramSpark: Self-Publish Like a Pro! - https://selfpub.is/3NADWdg Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ </
Mon, July 17, 2023
The one where Josh Haven provides many reasons NOT to go to Russia (and why those reasons make a great thriller).
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including—grab your drinks—more AI news! Then stick around as Christine chats with novelist Josh Haven! Josh Haven is a novelist and former art critic who has written for the Wall Street Journal , Weekly Standard , and Jerusalem Post . His fourth (and latest) novel, The Siberia Job , release back in June and is available now where ever books are sold. Check It Out! Josh's CrimeReads Article "Scenes From The Wild Wild East" - https://crimereads.com/scenes-from-the-wild-wild-east-snapshots-of-post-soviet-russia/ Check out Elle Cordova on TikTok (her awesome AI parody song is featured at the end of this episode) - https://www.tiktok.com/@elle.cordova Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Josh Haven on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22285404.Josh_Haven TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) IngramSpark: Self-Publish Like a Pro! - https://selfpub.is/3NADWdg Other Links Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com
Mon, July 10, 2023
The one where Wendy Corsi Staub explains foreshadowing.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including the copyright lawsuit two well-known authors are bringing against OpenAI. Then stick around as Christine chats with New York Times and USA Today bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub! Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than ninety novels, best known for the single-title psychological suspense novels she writes under her own name. Those books and the women’s fiction written under the pseudonym Wendy Markham have also appeared on the USA Today , Amazon, Barnes and Noble , and Bookscan bestseller lists. Her latest novel, Windfall , releases tomorrow, July 11, 2023, and is available for preorder now. Check It Out! Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay's suit against OpenAI - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/05/authors-file-a-lawsuit-against-openai-for-unlawfully-ingesting-their-books Hinton Publishing - https://www.hintonpublishing.com/ "The Year of The Slim Volume" = https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a44377129/short-books-popularity/ Submit your solar punk/optimistic sci-fi, horror ghost stories, or dragon-featured tales to PW for fall coverage consideration (deadline is July 18, so hurry!) - https://www.publishersweekly.com/sffhsept23 Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Wendy Corsi Staub - https://wendycorsistaub.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: <
Mon, July 03, 2023
The one where Polly Stewart explains how to write a reliable unreliable narrator.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including some recent statements on book bans and censorship. Then stick around as Christine chats with author and essayist Polly Stewart! Polly Stewart is the author of The Good Ones , which was released earlier this month by Harper Books. As Mary Stewart Atwell, she's also the author of Wild Girls (Scribner 2012). Her essays have appeared in the New York Times and Poets & Writers , among other publications. Check It Out! - Grab your copy of The Good Ones - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-good-ones-polly-stewart/19218297 - ALA, APA Reaffirm Landmark Freedom to Read Statement on 70th Anniversary - https://bit.ly/3NwBLHG - Polly's CrimeReads article, "What Really Distinguishes a Crime Novel?" - https://crimereads.com/what-really-distinguishes-a-crime-novel/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Polly Stewart - https://www.pollystewart.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 - <a href="http://www.millpon
Mon, June 26, 2023
The one where NYT Bestseller S.A. Cosby explains how he found his inner child and wrote for kids with Questlove.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including—grab your drinks!—more AI news. Then stick around as Christine chats with bestselling crime author S. A. Cosby! S. A. Cosby is an Anthony Award-winning writer from Southeastern Virginia. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland , which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, was a New York Times Notable Book, and was named a best book of the year by NPR, The Guardian, and Library Journal, among others. [ source ] His latest bestseller—a dip into middle-grade sci-fi co-written by the one and only Questlove!—is called The Rhythm of Time and is available now. Check It Out! AXE COP (feat. Uni-Baby) - https://axecop.com/introduction/ Show Links: Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ S.A. Cosby - https://twitter.com/blacklionking73 TODAY'S SPONSOR: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 Show notes & audio pr
Mon, June 19, 2023
The one where NYT bestseller Riley Sager explains why the best twist needs a twist and how all good stories are the sum of their parts.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including their thoughts on the legacy of the inimitable Cormac McCarthy, who passed away on June 13 at the age of 89. Then stick around as Christine chats with return guest Riley Sager! Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, most recently Survive the Night and The House Across the Lake . His first novel, Final Girls , has been published in 30 countries and won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel. His latest book, The Only One Left , releases tomorrow, June 20 from Dutton Books. [ source ] Check It Out! Cormac McCarthy (1933-2023) - https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/cormac-mccarthy-author-dead-obituary-1234770586/ Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Riley Sager - https://www.rileysagerbooks.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 - <a href="http
Mon, June 12, 2023
The one where NYT bestseller Richard North Patterson talks race, prejudice, identity, and how to handle them properly in your work.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Amazon KDP's changes to how they handle categorizing books. Then stick around as Kevin chats with thriller author Richard North Patterson! Richard North Patterson is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two novels, including the number one New York Times bestseller, Protect and Defend , as well as a nonfiction narrative of the 2016 presidential campaign. Between 2015 and 2021, Patterson—a former trial lawyer—was a regular columnist for national publications, noted for his widely read commentaries on American politics. His latest novel (and the first in nine years!) is entitled Trial and releases tomorrow, June 13 from Post Hill Press. Check It Out! Richard North Patterson on Substack - https://richardnorthpatterson.substack.com/ Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/hor
Bonus · Wed, June 07, 2023
BONUS EPISODE! - The one where director Rob Savage explains how he scares the bejesus out of us with his new movie, THE BOOGEYMAN!
On this bonus episode of Writers, Ink, JP chats with The Boogeyman director Rob Savage! Rob Savage is a British director, screenwriter, editor, producer, and creator of the viral screenlife horror hit Host . Released exclusively through Shudder on July 30, 2020, Host received largely positive reviews from critics, who praised its themes of social anxiety, its jump scares, and the chemistry of its acting ensemble. It has a notable 99% rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes and was included on Time magazine's list of the "17 Great Movies You May Have Missed This Summer" . [ source ] His latest film, The Boogeyman , adapted from a Stephen King short story of the same name , is in theaters now! Check It Out! The Boogeyman (in theaters now) - https://www.imdb.com/showtimes/title/tt3427252/ Links:* J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ J. Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, June 05, 2023
The one where #1 NYT bestseller Tessa Bailey explains how to talk dirty in your books.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including the AAP's Annual StatShot report for 2022. Then stick around as Christine chats with bestselling romance author Tessa Bailey! Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk” by Entertainment Weekly , Tessa Baileys writes with spice, spirit, swoon, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Some of her hits include It Happened One Summer , Secretly Yours , and Fix Her Up . Her latest novel, Unfortunately Yours , releases tomorrow, June 6, and is available for preorder now. Check It Out! AAP StatShot Annual Report: Publishing Revenues Totaled $28.10 Billion for 2022 - https://bit.ly/3qurfbK Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Tessa Bailey - https://www.tessabailey.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact
Mon, May 29, 2023
The one where NYT bestseller TJ Newman explains why it's so important to find your corner of the market.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics. Then stick around as Patrick chats with returning guest T.J. Newman! T.J. Newman is a former bookseller and flight attendant whose first novel, Falling , became a publishing sensation, debuting at number two on the New York Times bestseller list. The book was named one of the best books of the year by USA Today , Esquire , and Amazon, and has been published in more than thirty countries—and will soon be a major motion picture from Universal Pictures! Her latest novel, Drowning , arrives tomorrow, May 30, 2023, from Avid Reader Press (Simon & Schuster). Check It Out! Your final chance to sign up for CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ T.J. Newman - https://tjnewmanauthor.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 - <a href="http://www.millpondstudio.com
Mon, May 22, 2023
The one where NYT bestseller Kate White explains why writing a good mystery is like peeling an onion.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including a book-friendly viral tweet from an... unlikely source. Then stick around as Christine chats with bestselling suspense author Kate White! Kate White is the New York Times bestselling author of seventeen novels of suspense: nine standalone psychological thrillers, including The Secrets You Keep and The Second Husband , and eight Bailey Weggins mysteries. Her latest novel, Between Two Strangers , was released on May 16 and is available now wherever books are sold. Check It Out! Kevin on Substack! - https://kevintumlinson.substack.com/ The viral tweet in question (beware: a colorful rabbit hole indeed) - https://twitter.com/maskofbun/status/1655084850926473216 CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Kate White - https://www.katewhite.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - <a hre
Mon, May 15, 2023
The one where fantasy author C.L. Polk explains how she crosses genres in her work.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Findaway Voices' big swing to draw indie audiobook authors to Spotify. Then stick around as JP chats with Canadian fantasy author C.L. Polk! C. L. Polk is the author of the World Fantasy Award-winning novel Witchmark , the first novel of the Kingston Cycle. Their most recent novel, Even Though I Knew The End —called a "must-read for those who like their queer fantasy with a little grit and a lot of soul" by Booklist —is available now wherever books are sold. Check It Out! J.D. in Pittsburg - https://www.pittsburghbookfestival.org [Note: This event took place on May 13, 2023] JP on Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/cheshirepope CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ C.L. Polk - https://clpolk.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus -
Mon, May 08, 2023
The one where Melissa Blair tells us how she lit up BookTok by publishing her novel anonymously.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including the WGA union strike. Then stick around as Christine chats with BookTokker and fantasy author Melissa Blair! Melissa (she/her/kwe) is an Anishinaabe-kwe of mixed ancestry and the author of The Halfling Saga . Melissa has a BookTok account where she discusses her favorite kinds of books, including Indigenous and queer fiction, feminist literature, and non-fiction. Her latest novel (and follow-up to her viral smash hit A Broken Blade ) is called A Shadow Crown and releases tomorrow, May 9. Check It Out! R.L. Stine and J.D. Barker (Replay) - https://www.youtube.com/live/Rqz62umPFWc Kevin's New Non-Fiction Book - https://books2read.com/authornote CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Melissa Blair - https://www.tiktok.com/@abrokenblade TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ Music by Nicorus - <a href="https://cctrax.com/
Mon, May 01, 2023
The one where Victor Manibo explains how he uses the Story Engine card deck to help shape his novels.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including the results of a recent ALLi survey on writer income (spoilers: indies are sitting pretty good right now.) Then stick around as Christine chats with debut science-fiction author Victor Manibo. Victor Manibo is a Filipino speculative fiction writer living in New York. He is the author of the science fiction noir novel The Sleepless [ available now ] and is a 2022 Lambda Literary Emerging Voices Fellow. His next book, Escape Velocity, comes out in Spring 2024 from Erewhon Books . Check It Out! J.D.'s Movie News! - https://deadline.com/2023/04/behind-a-closed-door-movie-in-works-from-qc-entertainment-spin-a-black-yarn-1235335185/ R.L. Stine and J.D. Barker Live Event - https://www.autocrit.com/thrillerfest-live-event/ CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] Show Links:* Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Victor Manibo - https://www.victormanibo.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - <a href=
Mon, April 24, 2023
The one where #1 NYT bestseller Dennis Lehane explains why working in the absolute worst hell is not as bad as writing the middle of a novel.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including an update on the looming WGA strike and, of course, AI (take a drink!) Then stick around as Patrick chats with best-selling author and screenwriter Dennis Lehane. Lehane is the author of thirteen novels—including the New York Times bestsellers Live by Night ; Moonlight Mile ; Gone, Baby, Gone ; Mystic River ; Shutter Island ; and The Given Day —as well as Coronado , a collection of short stories and a play. [source: HarperCollins ] His latest novel, Small Mercies , releases tomorrow, April 25th, and is available for preorder now. Links:* Check Out Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Dennis Lehane - https://dennislehane.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!) MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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.millpond
Mon, April 17, 2023
The one where NYT bestseller Caroline Kepnes tells us what it’s like to have a hit Netflix show based on her YOU series.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including updates on a recent book ban and James Patterson's beef with the NYT bestsellers list. Then stick around as Christine chats with return guest Caroline Kepnes. Caroline Kepnes is the New York Times bestselling author of You, Hidden Bodies, Providence , and You Love Me. Her work has been translated into a multitude of languages and inspired a television series adaptation of You, currently on Netflix. Her latest book in the You series, For You And Only You , drops on April 25th and is available for preorder now. Links:* Check Out Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts AI In Our Lives: ITW's chat with AI lawyer Bradlee Frazer - https://bit.ly/AI_In_Our_Lives [ passcode: 5f=ivbA= ] CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Caroline Kepnes - https://www.carolinekepnes.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ | MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://
Mon, April 10, 2023
The one where Anthony McCarten explains what it’s like to write biopics for Winston Churchill, Queen, and Whitney Houston.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Kobo's new subscription model! Then stick around as Patrick chats with award-winning novelist and screenwriter Anthony McCarten. Anthony McCarten (born 28 April 1961) is a New Zealand writer and filmmaker. He is best known for writing big-budget biopics The Theory of Everything (2014), Darkest Hour (2017), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), The Two Popes (2019), and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022). McCarten has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including twice for Best Adapted Screenplay. His latest thriller novel, Going Zero , arrives tomorrow, April 11, 2023, and is available for preorder now. Links:* Check Out Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ | MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Booktrib - https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/ 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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - <a href="https://writersinkpodcast.com/co
Mon, April 03, 2023
The one where Brenda Novak explains what it’s like to sell books and coffee out of your Airstream.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including—as always—discussions of AI! Then stick around as Christine chats with New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak. “When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….” Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres. Her latest, The Seaside Library , releases April 11, 2023, and is available for preorder now. Links:* Check Out Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Brenda Novak - https://brendanovak.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ | MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.
Mon, March 27, 2023
The one where NYT Bestseller Kim Sherwood explains what it was like to write a James Bond chase scene when she’s never driven a car.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including the surprising reading habits of Gen Z. Then stick around as Patrick chats with New York Times bestselling author Kim Sherwood. Kim Sherwood is an author and creative writing lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. Her first novel, Testament (2018), won the Bath Novel Award and Harper’s Bazaar Big Book Award. Her second book, Double or Nothing , is the first in a trilogy commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate to expand the world of James Bond. It arrives in the United States on April 11th, 2023 from William Morrow and is available for preorder now. Links:* Check Out Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts CopCamp2023 - https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023 [FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799 ] J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Kim Sherwood - https://www.kimsherwoodauthor.com/ TODAY'S SPONSORS: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ | MasterWriter - https://masterwriter.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - <a href="https://
Bonus · Tue, March 21, 2023
Hugh Howey Update! Silo, Beacon 23, and More.
On this bonus episode of Writers, Ink, JP catches up with previous guest Hugh Howey. Hugh Howey is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of WOOL, MACHINE LEARNING, SAND, BEACON 23, and many others. His works have been translated into over 40 languages, with millions of copies sold around the world. WOOL has been adapted into Silo , a TV show from AppleTVPlus, which premiers May 5th! Find Writers, Ink on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/ Links:* J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Hugh Howey - https://hughhowey.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, March 20, 2023
The one where Tracy Clark explains what happens after you figure out where you’re going to hide the body.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week’s publishing topics, including a blockbuster publishing deal for one of today’s bestselling authors. Then stick around as Christine chats with mystery author Tracy Clark. Tracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PI Cassandra Raines. Her debut, BROKEN PLACES, made Library Journal’s list of the Best Crime Fiction of 2018, and CrimeReads named Cass Raines Best New PI of 2018. Her latest novel, Hide , a Detective Harriet Foster Thriller, was released in January 2023 and is available now wherever books are sold. Links:* Check Out Writers, Ink on YouTube! – https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts J.D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle – https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX – https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson – https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O’Donnell – https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Tracy Clark – https://tracyclarkbooks.com/ TODAY’S SPONSOR: Laterpress – http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTok – https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn – https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel – http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, March 13, 2023
The one where Vaishnavi Patel explains how she hit the New York Times list with her debut novel.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including a report from Bowker that proves the self-publishing boom is still going strong. Then stick around as Christine chats with debut novelist Vaishnavi Patel about reimaging important cultural tales, TikTok, and hitting the NYT Bestseller list. Vaishnavi Patel is a law student focusing on constitutional law and civil rights. She likes to write at the intersection of Indian myth, feminism, and anti-colonialism. Her debut novel, Kaikeyi , a feminist retailing of the ancient Indian epic, the Rāmāyana , is available now from Redhook/Hachette. Links:* J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Vaishnavi Patel - https://vaishnavipatel.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, March 06, 2023
The one where NYT Bestseller William Landay explains why no writer of any quality can base their work on fact.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including Bookshop.org's move into ebooks and an AI-related update pertaining to audiobook voice talent. Then stick around as Christine chats with novelist and former lawyer William Landay about truth (or the lack thereof) in fiction and the crime novel as a great vehicle for exploring universal themes. William Landay is the author of Defending Jacob , which won the Strand Critics Award for best mystery novel; The Strangler , listed as a best crime novel of the year by the L.A. Times , Daily Telegraph , and others; and Mission Flats , winner of the Dagger Award for best first crime novel. [ source ] His latest novel, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me , releases tomorrow, March 7, 2023, from Bantam Books. Links:* J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ William Landay - https://www.williamlanday.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, February 27, 2023
The one where New York Times Bestseller Daniel Suarez talks ChatGPT, future tech, and what it’s like to get a phone call from the pentagon after they read your book.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including JP's undying love for keeping things local. Then stick around as Kevin chats with NYT bestselling author Daniel Suarez about indie publishing, the future of technology, and making the most of experts. DANIEL SUAREZ is the New York Times bestselling author of Daemon, FreedomTM, Kill Decision, and Delta-v. His latest novel, Critical Mass , was released on January 31st from Dutton Books [PRH] and is available now wherever books are sold. Links:* J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Daniel Suarez - https://daniel-suarez.com/https://daniel-suarez.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, February 20, 2023
The one where #1 New York Times Bestseller James Rollins explains why villains must have a purpose and how the prologue just might be dead.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's publishing topics, including a major update on the HarperCollins strike as well as distributing to libraries as both traditional and independent authors. Then stick around as Kevin talks with NYT bestselling author James Rollins about villains, prologues, juggling a variety of projects at once, and writing in multiple genres. James Rollins is the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the Sigma Force series, the novelization for the blockbuster film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull , and the Jake Ransom middle-grade series. His latest novel, The Cradle of Ice (MoonFall Saga #2) , dropped February 7th from TOR/Macmillan and is available now wherever books are sold. Links:* J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ James Rollins - https://jamesrollins.com/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTok - https://bestofbooktok.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 Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, February 13, 2023
The one where Gregg Hurwitz discusses Orphans, AWA Studios, and writing for Morgan Freeman.
Join hosts J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle, along with JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O'Donnell, as they discuss a wide array of publishing topics, including how allowances for machine learning have made their way into publishing contracts. Then stick around as Christine chats with NYT bestselling author and screenwriter Gregg Hurwitz. GREGG HURWITZ is the internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers, including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, comics for AWA, DC, and Marvel, and political and culture pieces for The Wall Street Journal , The Guardian , and others. [source: https://gregghurwitz.net/ ] The latest novel in his Orphan X series, The Last Orphan , releases tomorrow, February 14, wherever books are sold. Links: J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Gregg Hurwitz - https://gregghurwitz.net/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.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 Audio production by Geoff Emberlyn - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, February 06, 2023
The one where Swedish sensation Tove Alsterdal explains the importance of setting as a character.
Join hosts J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle, along with JP Rindfleisch IX and Patrick O'Donnell, as they discuss the week's publishing news, including an update on the HarperCollins strike. Then stick around as Christine chats with acclaimed novelist and playwright Tove Alsterdal about the latest novel in her High Coast thriller series, You Will Never Be Found . Tove Alsterdal burst upon the Swedish book scene in 2009 with The Forgotten Dead and is the author of five critically acclaimed stand-alone novels. We Know You Remember , named Swedish Crime Novel of the Year and shortlisted for the country’s Book of the Year Award, marked her American debut. [source: HarperCollins ] The follow-up, You Will Never Be Found , is available now. Links: J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ Tove Alsterdal - https://www.tovealsterdal.se/english/books/ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ 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 - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, January 30, 2023
The one where bestselling author C.J. Tudor explains why it's better to have no agent than the wrong agent.
Join hosts J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle, along with JP Rindfleisch IX and Kevin Tumlinson, as they welcome law enforcement consultant Patrick O'Donnell ( episode 47 ) to the guest host chair. Then stick around as Christine chats with best-selling novelist C. J. Tudor about finding the right agent, writing what you love no matter what, and her upcoming end-of-the-world thriller, The Drift . C. J. Tudor is the author of The Burning Girls , The Other People , The Hiding Place , and The Chalk Man , which won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel, the Barry Award, and the Strand Critics Award for Best Debut Novel. Her fifth novel, The Drift , an "audacious, utterly gripping [story] of catastrophe and survival at the end of the world," drops tomorrow, January 31st, from Ballentine Books. Links: J.D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Patrick O'Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/ C. J. Tudor - https://twitter.com/cjtudor TODAY'S SPONSOR: Laterpress - http://laterpress.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ 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 - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, January 23, 2023
The one where Mary Adkins explains why you don't need an MFA (unless you do).
Join hosts J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle as they welcome back JP Rindfleisch IX and invite first-time guest host Kevin Tumlinson to the show. Then stick around as Christine chats with author and book coach Mary Adkins. Mary Adkins is the author of When You Read This, Privilege, and Palm Beach, which was voted one of 2021's Best Books by The New York Post. A native of the American South and a graduate of Duke University and Yale Law School, her writing has appeared in the New York Times and the Atlantic . She is also the founder of The Book Incubator , a 12-month, hands-on writing program for authors and memoirists, and the host of the podcast The First Draft Club . Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Kevin Tumlinson - https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ Mary Adkins - https://maryadkinswriter.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ 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 - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, January 16, 2023
The one where Ewan Morrison explains how being a hippie, swinger, part-time Marxist prepper with his own nuclear bunker has helped shape his fiction.
Join hosts J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle as they welcome guest host JP Rindfleisch IX to the studio. Then stick around as Christine chats with award-winning author and screenwriter Ewan Morrison. Described as the "most fluent and intelligent Scottish writer of his generation" by Booker Prize judge Stuart Kelly, Ewan Morrison is the author of Tales From The Mall , Close Your Eyes , and Nina X , which won the 2019 Saltire Society Scottish Fiction Book of the Year award. His eighth and latest novel, How To Survive Everything , a darkly comic thriller about a teenage girl abducted by her doomsday survivalist father, is available now in paperback. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ JP Rindfleisch IX - https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ Ewan Morrison - https://www.ewanmorrison.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ 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 - https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn Website Design by Word & Pixel - http://wordandpixel.com/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, January 09, 2023
The one where Claire Douglas explains why she writes so damn fast.
Claire Douglas is the award winning author of seven stand alone thrillers, THE SISTERS, LOCAL GIRL MISSING, LAST SEEN ALIVE, DO NOT DISTURB, THEN SHE VANISHES, JUST LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS and her most recent, THE COUPLE AT NO. 9, which is a number one Amazon bestseller and reached number three on the Sunday Times bestsellers list. Her books have sold over 500,000 copies in the UK and have been translated into twenty languages. You can find Claire on Twitter at @DougieClaire, Instagram as clairedouglasauthor, or visit her Facebook page clairedouglasauthor. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Claire Douglas - https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/claire-douglas Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ 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.
Mon, January 02, 2023
The one where Thom Carnell explains writing for magazines like SWANK isn't just about exposure.
Thom Carnell is a writer whose fiction has been featured in SWANK Magazine, CARPE NOCTEM Magazine, and in the horror anthology, BLOODY CARNIVAL from Pill Hill Press. He is best known for his insightful interviews and profiles in CARPE NOCTEM Magazine, FANGORIA Magazine, and on Dread Central & Twitchfilm.com. Carnell is a graduate of the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, and worked as a certified eye enucleist and a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist. His novels (NO FLESH SHALL BE SPARED, NO FLESH SHALL BE SPARED: DON’T LOOK BACK) and short story collections, MOONLIGHT SERENADES, A STRING OF PEARLS, and TUXEDO JUNCTION) are available through Amazon.com and Crossroad Press. He currently lives in Bellingham, WA. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Thom Carnell - http://www.thomcarnell.com/ Your Creative Journey (J.’s free daily journal prompt) - https://theauthorlife.com/category/creativejourney2023/ “They’re Mad, They Are” (J.’s sort-of collab with Clive Barker and NIN) - https://jthorn.net/clivebarker/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ 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.
Mon, December 26, 2022
The one where D. Eric Maikranz explains what it’s like to have Mark Wahlberg make a movie from his indie published book.
D. Eric Maikranz knows a thing or two about getting your book on the big screen. By using solid strategies like crowdsourcing his marketing and pricing as low as Amazon would let him, his 2009 novel, The Reincarnationist Papers , both accrued him a large readerbase and struck him a movie deal with Netflix. Eric has backpacked and worked all around the world as a foreign correspondent, translator, and more. He’s since published two nonfiction guides, Insider’s Rome and Insider’s Venice . To check out The Reincarnationist Papers , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: D. Eric Maikranz is the author of The Reincarnationist Papers, the electrifying debut novel that introduces readers to the Cognomina, a secret society of people who reincarnate with total recall of their collected past lives. The Reincarnationist Papers is the basis for the Paramount Pictures movie INFINITE (May 2021), starring Mark Wahlberg and Dylan O'Brien. For a sneak peek at his new novels and exclusive insider content, join the email list at: ericmaikranz.com. D. Eric Maikranz very much enjoys engaging with readers and frequently speaks remotely at book clubs that read his work. Guidelines for engaging Mr. Maikranz to speak remotely at your book club are available at ericmaikranz.com In this episode, you’ll discover: How Eric got kicked out of Laos His perspective on marketing How his day job helped his writing How a hostel in Nepal got him a movie deal Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ D. Eric Maikranz - https://ericmaikranz.com/ The Reincarnationist Papers - https://mybook.to/ReincarnPaper Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Author Life: A Limited Edition Podcast Series Featuring Jeff Elkins - https://theauthorlife.transistor.fm/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ and Atticus - https://www.atticus.io/ and Ghostwriting University - https://www.ghostwritinguniversity.com/ Music by Nicorus - <
Mon, December 19, 2022
The one where Tim Waggoner explains why teaching is a gateway drug to learning.
Author and teacher Tim Waggoner knows the secrets to refining your writing skill through educating others. During his time as a creative writing professor at Sinclair College, he’s gained a fuller understanding of writing techniques, character-writing psychology, and the editing process. Tim has published more than 50 novels over two decades and is a winner of the Bram Stoker Award and finalist for many others. His latest novel, A Hunter Called Night , is available for preorder on May 9. From Amazon.com: Tim Waggoner’s first novel came out in 2001, and he’s published close to fifty novels and seven collections of short stories since. He writes original fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. His novels include Like Death, considered a modern classic in the genre, and the popular Nekropolis series of urban fantasy novels. He’s written tie-in fiction for Supernatural, Alien, Grimm, the X-Files, Doctor Who, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Transformers, among others. His articles on writing have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Writer’s Journal, and Writer’s Workshop of Horror. He’s won the Bram Stoker Award and been a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award, the Scribe Award, and the Splatterpunk Award. In addition to writing, Tim is also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Tim picked up teaching How to communicate to writing students How to take advantage of luck Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Tim Waggoner - https://www.timwaggoner.com/index.htm A Hunter Called Night - https://books2read.com/HunterNight Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Author Life: A Limited Edition Podcast Series Featuring Jeff Elkins - https://theauthorlife.transistor.fm/ J. Thorn’s Rubrics for Writers - https://theauthorlife.com/free-tools/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ and Atticus - https://www.atticus.io/ and Ghostwriting University - https://www.ghostwritinguniversity.com/
Mon, December 12, 2022
The one where Paul Tremblay explains why two unreliable narrators can be better than one.
Guest Paul Tremblay returns to the podcast to discuss pacing, getting tired, and the challenge of two unreliable narrators with his latest book, THE PALLBEARER’S CLUB. Paul constantly challenges himself to create interesting stories that don’t just rely on a gimmick. Tremblay often transcends genre with masterful storytelling and compelling characters. He’s on sabbatical from his teaching position and trying to keep his writing time organized and consistent. . 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). His newest book is the short story collection GROWING THINGS AND OTHER STORIES. His essays and short fiction have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and numerous "year's best" anthologies. He is the co-editor of four anthologies including Creatures: Thirty Years of Monster Stories (with John Langan). Paul is on the board of directors for the Shirley Jackson Awards. He lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts, has a master's degree in Mathematics, and has no uvula. You can find him online at www.paultremblay.net. twitter: @paulgtremblay He is represented by Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why you should schedule your writing time even if you don’t have a day job The challenges of creating unique stories Why pacing in your novel matters Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Paul Tremblay - https://www.paultremblay.net/ The Pallbearer’s Club - https://books2read.com/pbclub 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 - <a hr
Mon, December 05, 2022
The one where Bram Stoker Award nominated-novelist Jake Bible explains Drabble.
Award-winning novelist Jake Bible loves to drabble in his spare time. A short story of exactly 100 words, the exercise has helped him sharpen his editing skills, heighten his creativity, and expand his support network. Jake wrote his first novel, DEAD MECH , in 2008, and has since written over 65 books and been nominated for various awards, including the Bram Stoker Award. To order his latest novel, Out of the Stars , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: A Bram Stoker Award nominated-novelist, short story writer, independent screenwriter, podcaster, and inventor of the Drabble Novel, Jake is the author of over sixty-five published novels including the bestselling Z-Burbia zombie apocalypse series, the bestselling Salvage Merc One military scifi series, the bestselling Roak: Galactic Bounty Hunter space crime series, the fan favorite hit Team Grendel/Mega thriller series, and his original post-apocalyptic mech/zombie mash-up, the Apex Trilogy. His other novels include the YA zombie novel, Little Dead Man, the Bram Stoker Award nominated YA horror novel, Intentional Haunting, the middle grade scifi/horror series, ScareScapes, and the historical fiction/space opera mash-up series, Reign of Four, for Permuted Press, as well as Stone Cold Bastards and the Black Box Inc. series for Bell Bridge Books. In this episode, you’ll discover: The importance of writing mechanics How to write a short story every week How to find success on Substack as a fiction writer The importance of a core fanbase Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Jake Bible - https://jakebible.com/ Out of the Stars - https://books2read.com/OutofStars 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/ and Ghostwriting Universi
Mon, November 28, 2022
The one where Dan Padavona explains why failure IS sometimes an option.
Dan Padavona knows the secrets to reimagining failure. Whether a book isn’t reaching the right audience or receiving negative criticism, he stresses the importance of remaining confident, persistent, and willing to pivot in the face of “the crickets” . Dan is the accomplished author of over twenty novels, including the Wolf Lake series and Thomas Shepherd series. He also co-wrote Shadow Witch with J. eight years ago. To preorder his upcoming novel, The Killer Inside , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: When you read one of my books I hope you feel like you are sitting around a campfire with me at midnight. If you happen upon me, you'll probably find me reading Stephen King, Rachel Caine, Dean Koontz, or one of the many authors who have so enriched my life with their ability to tell a good tale. More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one. Sign up for my VIP Readers Group at www.danpadavona.com and download a free screen background. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to find the overlap between self-fulfilling and marketable writing When to walk away from your day job Why writing can be so unmotivating How individuality can hurt your prospects Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Dan Padavona - https://www.danpadavona.com/ The Killer Inside - https://books2read.com/u/mqXRne 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/ and Ghostwriting University - https://www.ghostwritinguniversity.com/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com a
Mon, November 21, 2022
The one where bestselling ghostwriter Alex Cody Foster explains how to run from the cartel when traveling with John McAfee.
After Running with the Devil, ghostwriter Alex Cody Foster explores John McAfee’s descent into madness with Foster’s latest book, “The Man Who Hacked the World.” As one of the world’s most sought after ghostwriters Alex has ghostwritten eight #1 Amazon Bestsellers, wrote for one of the U.K's most successful thriller writers, and worked as John McAfee's ghostwriter for six months, which is profiled in a new Netflix documentary. Foster closely with Gotham Ghostwriters and Reedsy, two of the top ghostwriting agencies in the world. Alex writes from New York City, telling true stories from the heart with an unmatched style and voice. From Amazon.com: Alex Cody Foster is a #1 Amazon bestselling ghostwriter. He's featured in the Netflix documentary, Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee, and is the founder of Ghostwriting University, an online course that teaches writers how to become ghosts. He lives in New York City. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Alex escaped a life on the streets Why studying masterworks can make you a great writer What to do when assignments become dangerous Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Alex Cody Foster - https://www.alexfosterghostwriter.com/ The Man Who Hacked the World: A Ghostwriter’s Descent into Madness with John McAfee - https://books2read.com/manwhohacked Ghostwriting University - https://www.ghostwritinguniversity.com/ 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/ and Ghostwriting University - https://www.ghostwritinguniversity.com/ <
Mon, November 14, 2022
The one where Jennifer Givhan talks witches, demons, motherhood, and unreliable narrators.
Jennifer Givhan knows the power of cultural storytelling. In her latest novel, River Woman, River Demon , she draws heavily from her and her husband’s own Latina, Indigenous, and Black heritage to create a thrilling mystery infused with organic, emotional experiences. Jennifer is the award-winning author of novels like Trinity Sight and Jubilee and an accomplished poet. To purchase River Woman, River Demon , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Jennifer Givhan, a National Endowment for the Arts and PEN/Rosenthal Emerging Voices Fellow, is a Mexican-American writer and activist from the Southwestern desert and the author of four full-length poetry collections: Landscape with Headless Mama (2015 Pleiades Editors’ Prize), Protection Spell (2016 Miller Williams Poetry Prize Series chosen by Billy Collins), Girl with Death Mask (2017 Blue Light Books Prize chosen by Ross Gay), and Rosa’s Einstein (Camino del Sol Poetry Series, University of Arizona Press 2019). Her novels include Trinity Sight (2019) and Jubilee (forthcoming) from Blackstone Publishing. Her other honors include the Frost Place Latinx scholarship, a National Latinx Writers’ Conference scholarship, the Lascaux Review Poetry Prize, Phoebe Journal’s Greg Grummer Poetry Prize, the Pinch Poetry Prize, and the Joy Harjo Poetry Prize 2nd place. Her work has appeared in Best of the Net, Best New Poets, Poetry Daily, Verse Daily, The New Republic, Ploughshares, POETRY, The Rumpus, TriQuarterly, Boston Review, AGNI, Crazyhorse, Witness, Southern Humanities Review, Missouri Review, The Kenyon Review, and many others. She lives in New Mexico with her family near the Sleeping Sister Volcanoes. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why writing about magic is so important How being a mother enriches your writing How to use unreliable narration Jennifer’s writing process
Mon, November 07, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Anthony Marra discusses Mercury Pictures Presents and how films can inspire your fiction.
Bestseller Anthony Marra talks about his latest novel, Mercury Pictures Presents, with new co-host Christine Daigle. Thinking about “how storytelling redeems and uplifts, and how it breaks us,” Anthony and Christine explore tales of creativity and perseverance from both the novel and his writing journey. Anthony is the NYT bestselling author of books like The Tsar of Love of Techno and A Constellation of Vital Phenomena . To purchase Mercury Pictures Presents, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Anthony Marra is the New York Times bestselling author of The Tsar of Love and Techno and A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, winner of the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and longlisted for the National Book Award. His new novel, Mercury Pictures Presents, will be published in July 2022. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Anthony’s latest novel was almost named Sunny Siberia The importance of accountability to authors Why you should check in with your writer friends How history becomes fictionalized Why he watched films for writing inspiration Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christine Daigle - https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/ Anthony Marra - https://sites.prh.com/anthonymarra Mercury Pictures Presents - https://books2read.com/MercuryPictures 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 prod
Mon, October 31, 2022
The one where Bestseller David Kadavy helps us all rethink productivity.
Bestseller David Kadavy has dedicated his work to helping authors and creatives rethink productivity. In his bestselling book, Mind Management, Not Time Management , he explores the limits of creativity and the importance of structure, self-awareness, and self-control to writers. David is a bestseller author of mostly shorter nonfiction, but has also won praise for longer pieces like The Heart to Start and Design for Hackers . To purchase Mind Management , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: David Kadavy is a bestselling author whose books help people be productive when creativity matters. He was design advisor for behavioral scientist Dan Ariely’s productivity app, Timeful, where David’s “mind management” principles were applied to features now used by millions – in Google Calendar. He lives in Medellín, Colombia. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram at @kadavy. In this episode, you’ll discover: What is dirty electricity The email that changed David’s life How he transitioned from writing blogs to books The psychology of writing What makes stories memorable Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ David Kadavy - https://kadavy.net Mind Management, Not Time Management - https://books2read.com/MindManagement David’s Course - https://100wordwritinghabit.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/kadavy 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 p
Mon, October 24, 2022
The one where Bestseller Wanda M. Morris adds a twist of thriller to historical fiction.
Declared one of the “Fifteen Standout Historical Fiction Books to Read This Year” by Oprah Daily , Wanda M. Morris delivers on her new book, Anywhere You Run . Morris takes the reader on a high-stakes journey from Jackson, Mississippi to Cleveland, Ohio, following the lives of two sisters in the Jim Crow South of 1964. A corporate attorney and board member for the International Thriller Writers, Wanda Morris knows how to write superb thrillers. From Amazon.com: Bestselling author, Karin Slaughter, has described Wanda M. Morris as a "vibrant and welcome new voice to the thriller space." As a corporate attorney, Wanda M. Morris has worked in the legal departments of some of America’s top Fortune 100 companies. She is an accomplished presenter and leader. Wanda previously served as President of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, in which she established a signature female empowerment program known as the Women’s Initiative. She is an alumna of the Yale Writers Workshop and Robert McKee’s Story Seminar. Wanda is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and Crime Writers of Color. She is married, the mother of three, and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. All Her Little Secrets is her debut novel. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why research is important for historical fiction How to incorporate your own experiences in your storytelling How to combine work and pleasure when it comes to travel Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Wanda M. Morris - https://wandamorriswrites.com/ Anywhere You Run - https://books2read.com/anywhereyourun 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.c
Mon, October 17, 2022
The one where #1 International Bestseller Ruth Ware explains "faffing around."
International Bestseller Ruth Ware sets a very simple goal for herself: write a book a year. After battling with guilt for not producing more after becoming a full-time writer, she realized she is most productive and successful when not pushing herself and only expending as much of her imagination as she can. Ruth is the international bestseller of numerous thriller novels, including In A Dark, Dark Wood and One by One . To order her latest novel, The It Girl , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Ruth Ware is an international number one bestseller. Her thrillers In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, The Death of Mrs Westaway, The Turn of the Key, One by One and The It Girl have appeared on bestseller lists around the world, including the Sunday Times and New York Times, and she is published in more than 40 languages. She lives on the south coast of England, with her family. Visit www.ruthware.com to find out more, or find her on facebook or twitter as @RuthWareWriter In this episode, you’ll discover: Why her latest character is a bookseller What is “faffing around?” Why getting distracted can be beneficial Ways to alleviate writer’s block How she decided to write full-time Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Ruth Ware - https://ruthware.com/ The It Girl - https://books2read.com/TheItGirl 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 <
Mon, October 10, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Andrew Child explains why Jack Reacher has No Plan B.
Returning guest Andrew Child makes an appearance to discuss his new Jack Reacher book, No Plan B . The third Reacher book he’s collaborated on with brother Lee Child, Andrew walks through the extent of his planning and editing process, the pros and cons of writing with a sibling, and his afterthoughts of the book’s outcome. Andrew is the critically-acclaimed author of ten standalone novels, including Die Twice and Even . To preorder No Plan B , releasing October 25th, follow the link below. From JackReacher.com: Andrew Grant was born in Birmingham, England in May 1968. He went to school in St Albans, Hertfordshire and later attended the University of Sheffield where he studied English Literature and Drama. After graduation Andrew set up and ran a small independent theatre company which showcased a range of original material to local, regional and national audiences. Following a critically successful but financially challenging appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Andrew moved into the telecommunications industry as a ‘temporary’ solution to a short-term cash crisis. Fifteen years later, after carrying out a variety of roles – including a number which were covered by the UK Official Secrets Act – Andrew escaped from corporate life, and established himself as the author of the critically-acclaimed novels Even, Die Twice, More Harm Than Good, RUN, False Positive, False Friend, False Witness, Invisible, and Too Close To Home. Andrew is married to novelist Tasha Alexander, and lives on a wildlife preserve in Wyoming, USA. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Andrew turns a “sense or feeling” into a story His process for choosing a setting What it’s like writing with your brother How he wrote collaboratively during COVID-19 Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Andrew Child - https://www.jackreacher.com/us/authors/ No Plan B - https://books2read.com/NoPlanB 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 - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/p/writinglife?utm_source=Writers%2C+Ink&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=writers
Mon, October 03, 2022
The one where Zach interviews half the NYT bestseller list about the Harlan Coben Challenge.
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. 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 Prey - https://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.
Mon, September 26, 2022
The one where International Bestseller Jeffrey Archer explains why he writes by hand.
Prolific author Jeffrey Archer knows the importance of sticking with your process. By consistently writing in scheduled two-hour segments, drafting by hand, and keeping series alive only as long as he wants to, he efficiently produces gripping novels that both him and his readers enjoy. Jeffrey is an international bestseller of over 275 million copies worldwide, and has been writing for over fifty years. To preorder his latest novel, Next in Line , releasing tomorrow, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Jeffrey Archer is one of the world’s bestselling authors, with sales of over 275 million copies in 97 countries, and is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (twenty times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries). He was born in London, and brought up in the West Country. He gained a Blue in Athletics at Oxford, was President of the University Athletics Club, and went on to run the 100 yards in 9.6 seconds for Great Britain in 1966. Jeffrey has served five years in the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament, and thirty years as a Member of the House of Lords. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Jeffrey approached writing Princess Diana’s character Why he pays special attention to character progression What his novel planning looks like Why he writes every word by hand Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Jeffrey Archer - https://www.jeffreyarcher.com/ Next in Line - https://books2read.com/NextinLine 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 - h
Mon, September 19, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Josh Malerman talks basketball and Daphne.
Bestseller Josh Malerman makes his third appearance on the podcast with Daphne . His latest paranormal thriller, he uses expert character development and scarily accurate depictions of anxiety to make the novel truly come alive. Josh is a NYT bestselling author well known for his debut novel, Bird Box , which was adapted for film by Netflix. To preorder Daphne , which releases tomorrow, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Josh Malerman is a New York Times best selling author and 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 was made into a Netflix film of the same name, starring Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich. He has been nominated for 8 Bram Stoker Awards and has written 36 books, many of those (14) prior to the publication of Bird Box, his debut. Daphne will be his 11th published book. He lives in Michigan with his fiancee, the artist/musician Allison Laakko. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Daphne started as a novella How he avoided bloating the novel How to synthesize your interests when writing How he plays with time and setting The importance of death in Daphne Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Josh Malerman - https://joshmalerman.com/ Daphne - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MHCV1FQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 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.millp
Mon, September 12, 2022
The one where Martin Edwards discusses his Life of Crime.
Martin Edwards' magnum opus, The Life of Crime, is a dream come true for crime readers. Covering the complete history of the genre, analyzing its most successful novels, and even providing crime-writing tips, Edwards makes himself a must-read. Martin is an experienced author of numerous crime and thriller novels, and has received the CWA Diamond Dagger Award, Britain’s highest crime-writing achievement. To purchase The Life of Crime , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Martin Edwards has received the CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest honour in British crime writing, given for the sustained excellence of his contribution to the genre. His recent novels include Mortmain Hall and Gallows Court, which was nominated for two awards including the CWA Historical Dagger. British librarians awarded him the CWA Dagger in the Library in 2018 in recognition of his body of work. His eight and latest Lake District Mystery is The Crooked Shore and earlier books in the series include The Coffin Trail, short-listed for the Theakston's prize for best British crime novel. Seven books in his first series, featuring Liverpool lawyer Harry Devlin, starting with the CWA John Creasey Dagger-nominated All the Lonely People, have been reissued by Acorn in new editions with introductions by leading writers including Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid. In this episode, you’ll discover: Martin’s crime novel pet peeves Why crime-writing’s origins are so important How the genre uses crime as social commentary Why the genre has persisted for so long His personal writing process Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Martin Edwards - https://martinedwardsbooks.com/ The Life of Crime - https://books2read.com/MartinLOC 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 - <a href="https://cctrax.com/
Mon, September 05, 2022
The one where Anthony Horowitz talks writing for the James Bond Franchise.
Anthony Horowitz knows the advantages and limitations of writing in a major franchise. In his latest James Bond novel, With a Mind to Kill , Horowitz uses his own brand of fast-paced dialogue and gripping storytelling to revitalize the Bond franchise while working within the confines of Ian Fleming’s original world. Anthony has written over 40 books, with his Alex Rider series selling more than 19 million copies. To purchase With a Mind to Kill , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: I have over forty-five published novels to my name. The game changer for me was Stormbreaker, the first Alex Rider adventure, published in 2000. There were eleven more books in the series - the latest, Never Say Die, was published in 2017 - and they are now being developed for TV. I have plenty of other children's books out there - I was delighted to discover my Power of Five series (Raven's Gate, Evil Star etc) on sale in a tiny bookshop in Elounda, Crete only a few days ago. In this episode, you’ll discover: The differences between the Bond movies and books The challenges of writing in Fleming’s universe Why you should get hooked by your own writing Why Horowitz rejects routine His philosophy on collaboration Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Anthony Horowitz - https://anthonyhorowitz.com/ With a Mind to Kill - https://books2read.com/u/3J6VeK 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://w
Mon, August 29, 2022
The one where #1 NYT Bestseller Meg Gardiner explains what it's like to write a sequel to HEAT with Hollywood legend Michael Mann.
Returning guest Meg Gardiner shares her tips for adapting a screenplay into a novel. In her latest novel co-written with the legendary Michael Mann, Heat 2 , she uses intense imagery and character building to expand the world of the classic movie onto the page while maintaining the immersion of a film. Meg is a #1 NYT bestseller and the author of sixteen novels, including the award-winning Evan Delaney series and Jo Beckett series. To purchase Heat 2 , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Meg Gardiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of sixteen thrillers. Her latest is Heat 2, co-written with Michael Mann. The AP says: "'Heat 2' is just dynamite." It debuted at #1 on the NYT best seller list. Her previous novel, The Dark Corners of the Night, featuring FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix, was 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. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Meg builds playlists for her novels How she got started on Heat 2 Why she chose to novelize a film How to write anti-chronologically How to outline and edit with a co-writer Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Meg Gardiner - http://meggardiner.com/ Heat 2 - https://books2read.com/Heat2Meg 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/ Contact - <a href="https://wr
Mon, August 22, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Kimberly McCreight explains how she gets past the first page.
Bestseller Kimberly McCreight writes for her readers above all else. By avoiding genre stereotypes and unsolvable twists, and instead aiming for the emotional satisfaction of her fanbase, she maintains a loyal and dedicated following that keeps coming back for more. McCreight is a bestselling author of three novels, with her most popular being Reconstructing Amelia , and has been nominated for various awards. To purchase her latest novel, Friends Like These, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Kimberly McCreight is the New York Times bestselling author of RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA, WHERE THEY FOUND HER, A GOOD MARRIAGE and THE OUTLIERS, a young adult trilogy. She's been nominated for the Edgar, Anthony and Alex awards and her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. She attended Vassar College and graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She lives in Brooklyn, New Yor In this episode, you’ll discover: How to get past the first page How Kim’s college experience inspired her writing Why genre labels are obsolete Why the best work prompts bigger questions Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Kimberly McCreight - https://kimberlymccreight.com/ Friends Like These - https://books2read.com/FriendsKim 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/ Contact - https:/
Mon, August 15, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Riley Sager explains the benefits of a messed up protagonist.
Bestseller Riley Sager’s new book, The House Across the Lake , puts an inventive spin on a classic. Dubbed “ Rear Window on a lake” by Sager himself, he uses personal experience and complex character building to create a gripping mystery thriller. Riley is an NYT bestselling author known for his hit book Final Girls , and makes his third appearance on the podcast today. To purchase The House Across the Lake , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels, most recently Home Before Dark and Survive the Night. His first novel, Final Girls, has been published in 30 countries and won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel. His latest book, The House Across the Lake, will be published in 2022 by Dutton Books. A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Riley needed a messed up protagonist Why artistic characters can keep the plot interesting How to effectively take inspiration from others How to write with minimal setting changes Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Riley Sager - https://www.rileysagerbooks.com/ The House Across the Lake - https://books2read.com/AcrossLake 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/ Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/conta
Mon, August 08, 2022
The one where #1 NYT Bestseller Catherine Coulter explains why you can't be tied to your outline.
Catherine Coulter knows how to build a successful series. From creating strong foundational characters to keeping track of things as simple as physical description throughout books, she’s able to continue adding to longform series while keeping the stories and characters cohesive. Catherine is a #1 NYT bestselling author of 88 books. To purchase her latest novel, Reckoning , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Catherine Coulter is the New York Times bestselling author of 87 books. Her numerous historical romances established her as an icon in the genre and a must-read for readers world wide. Coulter's readership has also grown exponentially with her hugely popular "unputdownable" FBI thriller series, starring the husband and wife team FBI agents Savich and Sherlock. Her FBI thrillers have expanded to include a new international thriller series -- A Brit in the FBI -- co-written with popular thriller writer JT Ellison. This six-book series has also captured a dedicated readership with high-stakes, fast-paced international cases involving new characters Nicholas and Mike. Coulter has also added a new novella series, starring Grayson Sherbrooke (from the Sherbrooke historical romance series), titled The Grayson Sherbrooke Otherworldly Adventures. Currently there are four novellas -- the 5th installment will be released later this summer. (The Grayson books are available only in ebook.) Upcoming new release! The 25th book in her FBI thriller series, VORTEX, will be released on August 10th, 2021. Coulter lives in northern California with her thriller cat Eli and her thriller husband. She enjoys hearing from readers and posts on her Facebook page daily. Please visit her at her website www.catherinecoulter.com for more information. In this episode, you’ll discover: Catherine’s fascination with history How to deal with setting changes Why you can’t be tied to your outline What Catherine’s drafting process looks like Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Catherine Coulter - https://www.catherinecoulter.com/ Reckoning - https://books2read.com/ReckoningCoulter 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://s
Mon, August 01, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller David Ellis explains why he builds characters before plot.
David Ellis knows how to write successful suspense into his novels. With twists and turns frequenting his pages, he puts forth special effort to make sure his plots are both complex and head-scratching while remaining decipherable to his average reader. David is a NYT bestseller of ten standalone crime novels and has co-authored eight novels with James Patterson. To purchase his latest novel, Look Closer , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: David Ellis is a judge and an Edgar-award-winning author of nine novels of crime fiction, as well as five books co-authored with James Patterson. In December, 2014, Dave was sworn in as the youngest-serving Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court for the First District. Dave currently lives outside Chicago with his wife and three children. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why David builds characters before plot Why he isn’t afraid to keep pivoting How his work as a judge influences his writing Why he starts writing at 3am What it’s like writing with James Patterson Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Wonder Lodge - https://www.vrbo.com/2911457?unitId=3483497 2022 Colorado Gold Writers Conference - http://rmfw.org/conference-2022/ Tess Gerritsen - https://www.tessgerritsen.com/ Rizzoli & Isles: Listen to Me: A Novel - https://books2read.com/rizzoli13 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
Mon, July 25, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Tess Gerritsen explains why she writes her first draft by hand.
Tess Gerritsen has spent decades refining her craft. From handwritten first drafts to listening to her characters, she follows the Muse on her creative journey. Tess wasn’t sure she’d write another Rizzoli & Isles book until she became excited about the possibilities of another installment in the hugely successful series. Whether it's tending to her vegetable garden or her archive of handwritten manuscripts, Tess does so with care and creativity. Her characters are beloved worldwide, a testament to her enduring ability to master the craft of writing while being a keen observer of the world around her. From Amazon.com: Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D. While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic thriller, was followed by eight more romantic suspense novels. She also wrote a screenplay, "Adrift", which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson. In this episode, you’ll discover: How getting your first paycheck changes everything Why you need to avoid monomouth Why a handwritten first draft can open new possibilities When to plant lettuce Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Wonder Lodge - https://www.vrbo.com/2911457?unitId=3483497 2022 Colorado Gold Writers Conference - http://rmfw.org/conference-2022/ Tess Gerritsen - https://www.tessgerritsen.com/ Rizzoli & Isles: Listen to Me: A Novel - https://books2read.com/rizzoli13 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://kob
Mon, July 18, 2022
The one where Vanessa Riley explains the power of a single sentence.
Author Vanessa Riley talks about her latest piece of women’s historical fiction, Sister Mother Warrior . Through determination in navigating the challenges of uncovering women’s history and a promise to write history from all perspectives, she created a gripping novel worthy of piquing the mind. Vanessa has had an accomplished career, graduating with several degrees and helping many businesses and startups before writing over twenty books. To order Sister Mother Warrior , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Vanessa Riley writes Regency Romances and Historical Fiction of dazzling multi-culture communities with powerful persons of color. Vanessa writes for historical romance readers who admire and acquire books that showcase women who find joy in sweeping kisses and strong sisterhoods. Even in the darkness, she promises to give you laughs and to show you how light always prevails and how love always, always wins. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to write from a full perspective What Vanessa’s research process looks like How her engineering background influences her writing The power of a single sentence Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ 2022 Colorado Gold Writers Conference - http://rmfw.org/conference-2022/ Vanessa Riley - https://vanessariley.com/ Sister Mother Warrior - https://mybook.to/SisterMother Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac 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 - <a href="http://www.millp
Mon, July 11, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Blake Crouch talks Upgrade, Dark Matter, and other Big Ideas.
Returning guest Blake Crouch explores the forefront of scientific discovery in his new novel, Upgrade . A gene-editing thriller, Blake pushed himself to go the extra mile for the book, interviewing field experts in biology and physics to keep his sci-fi enticing yet realistic. Blake is a bestselling author well known for works like Dark Matter , Recursion , and Wayward Pines . To preorder Upgrade , follow the link below. 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. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Blake’s only tackling big ideas His process for conducting “deep research” How he utilizes human evolution in storytelling His future plans for Dark Matter Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ 2022 Colorado Gold Writers Conference - http://rmfw.org/conference-2022/ Blake Crouch - https://blakecrouch.com/ Upgrade - https://mybook.to/Upgrade Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac 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 </p
Mon, July 04, 2022
The one where NYT Bestseller Barbara Graham explains the differences between writing plays and novels.
Barbara Graham employed her unique spiritual writing process while crafting her debut novel, What Jonah Knew . Through mindful storytelling and a more “hands-off” approach, letting the story come to her and keeping what feels right instead of meticulously planning and outlining, she produces writing that is genuine, intriguing, and effortlessly maintains its flow. Before becoming a novelist, Barbara had a lengthy career as a playwright, poet, and journalist, writing for various recognized magazines, like Time, NatGeo, and Vogue. To preorder What Jonah Knew , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Barbara Graham is an award-winning essayist, playwright, and author who has written for Time; O, The Oprah Magazine; Glamour; More; National Geographic Traveler; and Vogue. She is the author/editor of the New York Times bestseller Eye of My Heart. What Jonah Knew, a psychological thriller, is her first novel. Barbara's plays have been produced Off-Broadway and at theatres around the country. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Barbara conceived What Jonah Knew The differences between plays and novels How Buddhist practices influence her writing Why she rejects writing constraints How to develop complex characters Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ 2022 Colorado Gold Writers Conference - http://rmfw.org/conference-2022/ Barbara Graham - https://barbaragrahamauthor.com/ What Jonah Knew - https://mybook.to/WhatJonahKnew Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac 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 b
Mon, June 27, 2022
How to Deal with Rejection with NYT Bestseller Eva Lesko Natiello
Eva Lesko Natiello is no stranger to rejection. Despite being unable to secure an agent and having the manuscript of her first book, The Memory Box , rejected eighty-four times, she used her determination and knowledge of marketing to defy expectations and turn her story into a global bestseller. Eva is a NYT bestseller who began her career in the beauty industry before making it big as a writer, and is known for her gripping thriller novels. To order her latest book, Following You , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: EVA LESKO NATIELLO is the award-winning, NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author of psychological thrillers, THE MEMORY BOX and FOLLOWING YOU. She is a graduate of UAlbany with a degree in psychology. Eva is a native of Yonkers, NY and currently lives in suburban New Jersey with her family. THE MEMORY BOX, a debut novel, is a global bestseller and has been a #1 bestselling book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes and Kobo and has been translated in multiple languages. Eva has attended over 200 book club discussions of her books. Invite her to yours! When Eva’s not writing suspense novels, she writes humor and satire and posts about writing and self-publishing on her website (evaleskonatiello.com) and for The Huffington Post. She loves the creative process: painting, gardening, singing or re-purposing (though many D.I.Y. projects have been fraught with disaster, it doesn't seem to stop her). She is a thought leader and speaker and is a self-publishing and book marketing coach. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Eva never thought she’d become a writer How she narrowed her audience and chose to independently publish The power of free sampling The importance of momentum Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Eva Lesko Natiello - https://evaleskonatiello.com/ Following You - https://mybook.to/FollowingYou Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/p/writinglife?utm_sou
Mon, June 20, 2022
Approaching a Memoir with Hollywood Star Colton Haynes
Colton Haynes understands the complexities of approaching a memoir. From learning to navigate difficult and personal life experiences to dealing with the hard process of cutting and editing his work, he used his trust in himself and his editors to push through the challenges and create a moving, well-written account of his life. Colton focused on modeling in his early career before being cast in hit shows like “Teen Wolf” and “The Gates,” and his memoir, Miss Memory Lane , is his first step into the writing world. To purchase Miss Memory Lane , follow the link below. From IMDb.com: American actor and model Colton Lee Haynes was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Dana Denise (Mitchell) and William Clayton Haynes. He began modeling at age 15 and his first success came with an Abercrombie & Fitch campaign. He also modeled for J.C. Penney, Kira Plastinina, and Ralph Lauren. He is best known for his role as Jackson Whittemore on MTV's Teen Wolf (2011). He also played Brett Crezski on ABC's The Gates. He has had guest appearances on several television shows, including The Hills, CSI: Miami, The Nine Lives of Chloe King, and Look. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Colton started his memoir journey How to cope with writer’s block How he coined the title What surprised him during his first writing project Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Write On Con - https://www.writeoncon.org Colton Haynes - https://twitter.com/ColtonLHaynes?s=20&t=D0FkFMIw8BrKPzQWuOFccA Miss Memory Lane - https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/miss-memory-lane Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac 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 - <a href
Mon, June 13, 2022
Perseverance and Professionalism with NYT Bestseller Christopher Golden
Perseverance and Professionalism with NYT Bestseller Christopher Golden After decades of consistent, high-quality work, Christopher Golden continues to appreciate every day as a professional writer. From movie-tie ins to his own novels, Golden continues to do the work necessary to stay afloat in the business. Whether it's Bram Stoker Award-winning novels, graphic novels, anthologies, or video games, he is a successful and prolific creative, by any standard. From Amazon.com: CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN is the New York Times bestselling author of such novels as Ararat, Red Hands, Snowblind, Wildwood Road, The Boys Are Back in Town, The Ferryman, Strangewood, and Of Saints and Shadows. Golden co-created (with Mike Mignola) the comic book universe known as The Outerverse, featuring such characters as Baltimore, Joe Golem, and Lady Baltimore. As an editor, he has worked on the short story anthologies Hex Life, Seize the Night, and The New Dead, among others, and has also written and co-written comic books, video games, screenplays, a BBC radio play, and the online animated series Ghosts of Albion (with Amber Benson). A frequent speaker at conferences, schools, and libraries, Golden is also co-host of the podcast Defenders Dialogue, and the founder of the Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival. The winner of the Bram Stoker Award for best novel in 2017 for Ararat, Golden has been nominated ten times in eight different categories, winning twice. He has also been nominated multiple times for the Shirley Jackson Award, sharing a win in 2020 with James A. Moore for the anthology The Twisted Book of Shadows. Golden was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. His original novels have been published in more than fourteen languages in countries around the world. In this episode, you’ll discover: Where that lost “Sons of Anarchy” sequel might be How to get the work done, year after year What Stephen King thought of the cover for ROAD OF BONES Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Christopher Golden - https://www.christophergolden.com/ Road of Bones - https://books2read.com/roadofbones Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac 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.mill
Mon, June 06, 2022
Approaching a Story with Hollywood Legend and Screenwriter David Koepp
David Koepp knows the importance of correctly approaching a new story or project. By consistently outlining his thoughts, writing in a workspace that suits his style, and setting specific targets and goals, he keeps his writing process both efficient and personal. Koepp is a legendary screenwriter who has worked on movies like Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones and is the ninth most successful screenwriter of all time. To purchase his latest novel, Aurora, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: David Koepp is a celebrated American screenwriter who's written more than two dozen feature films. He's written with success in a wide variety of genres, including the first two "Jurassic Park" films, "Death Becomes Her," "Carlito's Way," "The Paper," "Mission: Impossible," "Spider-Man," "Panic Room," "War of the Worlds," "Angels and Demons," and "Inferno." Some of the films he's both written and directed are "Stir of Echoes," "Secret Window," "Ghost Town," and "Premium Rush." "Cold Storage" is his first novel. Koepp grew up in the small town of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He went to a variety of colleges over a leisurely-paced academic career, and recounts his junior year as being "three of the happiest years of my life." He cites the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the film school at UCLA as particular highlights. In this episode, you’ll discover: How David became a screenwriter How he transitioned to writing novels How to avoid internet distractions How to write with a narrow setting How to adapt across mediums Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ David Koepp (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/dgkoepp/ David Koepp - https://davidkoepp.com/ Aurora – https://mybook.to/Aurora Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.
Mon, May 30, 2022
Writing Science Fiction with NYT Bestseller Emily St. John Mandel
Bestseller Emily St. John Mandel is well versed in the realm of writing science fiction novels. Drawing upon decades of story elements from her favorite sci-fi books, she creates stories that are true to herself while sticking to the rules of the genre. Emily has written six novels, winning notable acclaim from people like President Barack Obama, and had Station Eleven adapted for TV by HBO. To purchase her latest novel, Sea of Tranquility , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL is the author of six novels, including Sea of Tranquility, The Glass Hotel, and Station Eleven, which was a finalist for a National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. Her work has been translated into thirty-two languages. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. In this episode, you’ll discover: Who is Olive? How to write yourself into a character Why does post-apoc do so well? Why characters are always more important than setting How involved Emily was with Station Eleven’s adaptation Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Emily St. John Mandel - http://www.emilymandel.com/ Sea of Tranquility - https://mybook.to/SeaofTranquility Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Sun, May 29, 2022
Question and Answer Episode - May 2022
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. Join New York Times best-seller, J.D. Barker, and indie powerhouses J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon as they pull back the curtain on some of the world's most prolific authors. Where did they start? What is their process? The biggest names in publishing all have origin stories, all have a process, all have tips and secrets... What does it take to consistently top the bestseller lists? Get your notepad out. School's in session. This, is Writers, Ink. Questions asked: This is a difficult question - I've been pondering this for some time. I suspect you might be unable to answer this. There are a series of TV films starring Tom Selleck based on Robert B Parker novels called the Jesse Stone series. If you could use one word to describe the atmosphere in the films it would be melancholy. It's mostly achieved by music photography and Tom Selleck's slow drawl dialogue. How can one achieve this melancholy feeling in writing? How do you reconcile multiple streams of income (in multiple author services) and the simplicity of offering ONE thing on your website for clients? I know that in order to build clientele, we need to focus our efforts, time, and attention (and maybe even marketing) on one service so as not to overwhelm the potential client with too many options. But, I receive (small amounts of) income from various author services I perform--editing, coaching, audiobook narration. How can I keep my website, newsletters, and "elevator pitches" simple enough and still allow clients to know what they can hire me to do? For instance, I thought of putting up my signature offer on a featured website page, and then list "other author services" with a link to a different page so it doesn't clutter up the featured page. If you could go back in time and change one decision you made in your writing career what would it be and why? If you wouldn't change a thing...why not I'm appreciating more and more the benefits of hybrid publishing through traditional and self. While I start my query process, I'm curious to best practices. How many agents should you submit queries to at one time? If you have two novels in different genres, should you submit both and see which one is picked up or focus on one? Also, where are the best places to meet agents? I write in the fantasy and superhero fiction genres. Where would I find agents that represent my genres? Does a personal meeting help the process of query acceptance? Sounds like JD has "won" the treadmill that most authors hit in terms of making enough money to retire on without having to work with all his investments.
Mon, May 23, 2022
Writing with Your Spouse with International Bestseller Lars Kepler
Bestselling husband-wife team Lars Kepler knows a thing or two about writing with your spouse. In writing as in marriage, the Kepler duo must routinely navigate around indecision, such as compromising on important plot points, in order to maintain an efficient and fun writing environment. Kepler is an international bestseller, having sold 16 million copies in 40 languages. To purchase their latest novel, The Mirror Man , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Lars Kepler is a No.1 bestselling international sensation, whose Joona Linna thrillers have sold more than 12 million copies in 40 languages. The first book in the series, The Hypnotist, was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club and the most recent, Stalker, went straight to No.1 in Sweden, Norway, Holland and Slovakia. Lars Kepler is the pseudonym for writing duo Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril. They live with their family in Sweden. In this episode, you’ll discover: Who is Lars Kepler? What does research look like during the pandemic? How they naturally translate Swedish for an English audience What a typical writing day looks like for Lars Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ The Author Life Summit 2022 - https://theauthorlife.com/summit2022/ Lars Kepler - https://larskepler.com/ The Mirror Man - https://mybook.to/MirrorMan Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.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 - <a href="https://writersi
Mon, May 16, 2022
Poetry and Persistence with NYT Bestseller Don Winslow
Poetry and Persistence with NYT Bestseller Don Winslow Stephen King called Don Winslow, “one of America’s greatest storytellers,” and for good reason. For decades, Winslow has consistently produced international bestselling works. His newest release, “City on Fire,” is no exception. Don writes daily, sometimes reading poetry for inspiration. “City on Fire” is the first book of a new trilogy that will probably be Don’s last. From Amazon.com: Don Winslow is the author of twenty-one acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including the New York Times bestsellers The Force and The Border, the #1 international bestseller The Cartel, The Power of the Dog, Savages, and The Winter of Frankie Machine. Savages was made into a feature film by three-time Oscar-winning writer-director Oliver Stone. The Power of the Dog, The Cartel and The Border sold to FX in a major multimillion-dollar deal to air as a weekly television series beginning in 2020. A former investigator, antiterrorist trainer and trial consultant, Winslow lives in California and Rhode Island. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Don is a cupcake How writing is like hockey and jazz Why seeing your words from a distance is important How Don finally finished a story, 28 years in the making Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ The Author Life Summit 2022 - https://theauthorlife.com/summit2022/ Don Winslow - https://www.donwinslow.com/ City on Fire - https://books2read.com/cityonfire Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep<
Mon, May 09, 2022
Blueprint for a Book with Jennie Nash of Author Accelerator
Jennie Nash has a blueprint for any successful book. By focusing on the pure fundamentals of writing and gaining marketing experience through pitching or proposing, she helps both fiction and nonfiction authors tell their best stories while earning a profit. Jennie is the author of eleven books and founder of Author Accelerator book coaching. To preorder her latest book, Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Jennie Nash is an evangelist for book coaching, which gives writers 1:1 support so they can write books worth reading. She is the creator of the Book Coach Certification Program at Author Accelerator and has trained more than 100 book coaches. Visit Jennie at www.jennienash.com and authoraccelerator.com. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: Why brevity is key Why writing should be market focused How to write a good proposal Why Jennie stopped writing fiction Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ The Author Life Summit 2022 - https://theauthorlife.com/summit2022/ Jennie Nash - https://jennienash.com/ Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book - https://mybook.to/Blueprint4Book Three Story Method: Writing Scenes - https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - <a href="http://non
Mon, May 02, 2022
How to Tell a Story with Meg Bowles of The Moth
Meg Bowles of The Moth knows the secrets to telling a good story. The Moth is an international organization that helps everyday people master storytelling through public speaking by focusing on authenticity, vulnerability, and confidence. They host public speaking events and workshops all over the world, and community events like The Moth Education Program. To purchase How to Tell a Story , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: THE MOTH is an acclaimed nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. Since launching in 1997, The Moth has presented over 40,000 stories, told live and without notes to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. The Moth’s fourth book will be released in the Spring of 2022. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: What makes a Moth story Why people fear public speaking How memorization ruins a story The power of a supportive audience Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ The Author Life Summit 2022 - https://theauthorlife.com/summit2022/ The Moth - https://themoth.org/ How to Tell a Story - https://mybook.to/HowToStory Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - <a href="https://
Mon, April 25, 2022
Question and Answer Episode - April 2022
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. Join New York Times best-seller, J.D. Barker, and indie powerhouses J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon as they pull back the curtain on some of the world's most prolific authors. Where did they start? What is their process? The biggest names in publishing all have origin stories, all have a process, all have tips and secrets... What does it take to consistently top the bestseller lists? Get your notepad out. School's in session. This, is Writers, Ink. Join us on Patreon and ask a question guaranteed to be answered on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: Just wondering how much your children are involved in your writing business and/or how much you plan to get them involved in the future. Would you discourage them from pursuing writing full-time? A question for each of you today: What one writing skill would you like to improve about your own fiction writing? Is there something you’ve been wanting that represents a level up investment for your writing life (e.g. joining an exclusive mastermind, going to a new conference, buying a new computer, etc.) that you’d like to do by the end of the year? I’m going to a conference that has a ‘pitch fest’ where you have 5 minutes (3 minutes to speak and 2 minutes for editor to respond) to pitch your project to editors and agents. Have any of you taken part in a pitch session? The conference organizers have provided some guidelines but would love to hear any tips. I’m pitching a non fiction book proposal. Thanks! Having talked with so many authors at this point, what seems to be the same thing or advice all of them say/do (besides that they write books)? Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Free Writing Challenge from AutoCrit - https://autocrit.com/challenge2022 The Author Life Summit 2022 - https://theauthorlife.com/summit2022/ Death of the Black Widow - https://amzn.to/3rsA97v Curse of the Spiral - https://books2read.com/cursespiral Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/p/writinglife?utm_source=Writers%2C+Ink&utm_m
Mon, April 18, 2022
Kingdom of Bones with #1 NYT Bestseller James Rollins
Kingdom of Bones , the sixteenth book in James Rollins’ Sigma Force series, put the bestselling author to the test. From drafting the book during the rise of COVID-19 to managing the complexities of maintaining a long-standing series, he used decades of marketing and storybuilding experience to overcome the difficulties of writing and publishing a novel during the pandemic. James is the #1 NYT bestseller of international thrillers, best known for writing Sigma Force and six standalone thrillers. To preorder Kingdom of Bones , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers. His writing has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than 20 million books. 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.” NPR calls his work, “Adventurous and enormously engrossing.” Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets matched with stunning suspense. As a veterinarian, he had a practice in Sacramento for over a decade and still volunteers at local shelters. Nowadays, Rollins shares his home up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with his two golden retrievers, Echo and Duncan. He also enjoys scuba diving, spelunking, kayaking, and hiking. Of course, he loves to travel and experience new places around the world, which often inspire his next globe-trotting adventure. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: What did James’ research process look like during the pandemic? The importance of a good author’s note The pros and cons of writing a long series How to prioritize different projects Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/<
Sun, April 10, 2022
Sticking with Standalones with Carter Wilson
Bestseller Carter Wilson never writes the same book twice. By choosing to write standalone novels instead of series, he keeps his worldbuilding skills sharp, forcing himself to write new, unique characters in new settings for each book. Carter is a bestselling author of eight standalone psychological thrillers, including The Dead Girl in 2A and Revelation . To preorder his latest book, The New Neighbor , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: USA Today bestselling author Carter Wilson has written eight critically acclaimed, standalone psychological thrillers, as well as numerous short stories. He is an ITW Thriller Award finalist, a four-time winner of the Colorado Book Award, and his works have been optioned for television and film. Carter lives in Erie, Colorado in a Victorian house that is spooky but isn’t haunted…yet. To check Carter’s appearance calendar, subscribe to his irreverent monthly newsletter, or to inquire about his availability for speaking events, book clubs, or media requests, please visit www.carterwilson.com. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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 to write a good author newsletter How to write a book from one scene How to avoid stereotypical characters How your character’s gender affects your writing voice Why Carter prefers consistent writing over binge writing
Mon, April 04, 2022
Staying on Schedule with Elissa Sussman
Elissa Sussman knows how to keep her writing on schedule. Drawing from her past experience as a ghost writer and manager, she maintains a strict working regimen with set writing hours each day to maximize her productivity and availability. Elissa was a ghost writer of 15 young adult novels before writing adult novels under her own name. To preorder her latest book, Funny You Should Ask , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Elissa Sussman is the author of the novel, FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, as well as the young adult novels, DRAWN THAT WAY, STRAY, and BURN. She has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, a MFA from Pacific University, and in a previous life managed animators and organized spreadsheets at some of the best animation studios in the world, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks and Sony Imageworks. You can see her name in the credits of THE CROODS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and TANGLED. She lives in her hometown of Los Angeles with her husband and their two dogs, Basil and Mozzarella. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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 to choose your audience What the ghostwriting process looks like Why being a ghost writer is the best writing education Why the romance genre isn’t respected Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ The Author Life Summit 2022 - https://theauthorlife.com/summit2022/ Elissa Sussman - https://elissasussman.com/ Funny You Should Ask - https://mybook.to/FunnyYouShouldAsk Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - <a href="https://books2read.com
Mon, March 28, 2022
Question and Answer Episode - March 2022
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. Join New York Times best-seller, J.D. Barker, and indie powerhouses J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon as they pull back the curtain on some of the world's most prolific authors. Where did they start? What is their process? The biggest names in publishing all have origin stories, all have a process, all have tips and secrets... What does it take to consistently top the bestseller lists? Get your notepad out. School's in session. This, is Writers, Ink. Join us on Patreon and ask a question guaranteed to be answered on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: Probably one for JD; Do you think it is easier to sell a completed manuscript or screenplay assuming the same quality and all other things being equal? What are the arguments you check when deciding to pitch to a publisher versus publishing yourself? Curiosity question: Are you writing in silence or do you listen to music or sounds? If you listen to something, is it the same all the time or do you vary? And what are you listening to? How do you choose the right editor? How do you decide your WIP is done and ready to publish? How does a new author determine who their target reader is? If you provide author services and run an author business, as well as author books, what is a good ratio of time spent on either endeavor? For Zach: You've mentioned that the past two or three years have been your most successful. What are you doing to reach readers? How many books do you have out now? What are the best first steps for a FT indie author looking to branch out into the trad-pub world? What are the things that traditional publishers would be looking at in terms of platform and prior sales? Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.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 - <a href="http://www.millpondstu
Mon, March 21, 2022
The one where #1 NYT Bestseller Gillian Flynn explains why Gone Girl shouldn't have worked.
Gillian Flynn never expected GONE GIRL to become an international bestseller, or for the movie directed by David Fincher to become a Hollywood blockbuster. Instead of chasing trends or trying to anticipate the market, Flynn wrote the kind of story she wanted to read. It wasn’t supposed to work. And yet it did. Gillian writes with a cinematic flair, which translates well to adaptations. She fuels her passion for movies inherited from her father, and now passed along to her son. She’s going to need a bigger boat. From Amazon.com: Gillian Flynn was the chief TV critic for ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and now writes full-time. Her first novel SHARP OBJECTS was the winner of two CWA DAGGERS and was shortlisted for the GOLD DAGGER. Her latest novel, GONE GIRL, is a massive No.1 bestseller. The film adaptation of GONE GIRL, directed by David Fincher and starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, won the Hollywood Film Award 2014. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why visualizing movies can improve your writing How the right mentor can make all the difference Where you can find storytelling inspiration Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Gillian Flynn - https://www.gillian-flynn.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, March 14, 2022
History, Thrillers, and the Secret Underground with #1 NYT Bestseller Brad Meltzer
Book bans, terrorist plots, and topping the New York Times Bestseller lists. Brad Meltzer has seen it all. His newest book, “The Lightning Rod” explodes onto the page with thrilling action and complex characters, exactly what readers of the Zig and Nola Escape Artist series expect. Meltzer goes deep on his research, lending an unmistakable authenticity to his novels. In addition, Brad’s work for the History Channel has turned up artifacts believed to be lost forever. Get “The Lightning Rod” now from the link below. From Amazon.com: Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inner Circle, The Book of Fate, and nine other bestselling thrillers including The Tenth Justice, The First Counsel, The Millionaires, and The President’s Shadow. His most recent book, The Escape Artist, debuted at #1 on the bestseller list. His non-fiction book, The First Conspiracy, is about a real life secret plot to kill George Washington and is out now. And his upcoming book is The Lincoln Conspiracy, about a FIRST secret plot to kill Abraham Lincoln. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. Join New York Times best-seller, J.D. Barker, and indie powerhouses J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon as they pull back the curtain on some of the world's most prolific authors. Where did they start? What is their process? The biggest names in publishing all have origin stories, all have a process, all have tips and secrets... What does it take to consistently top the bestseller lists? Get your notepad out. School's in session. This, is Writers, Ink. In this episode, you’ll discover: Ways to respond to book banning Why the Department of Homeland Security needed Brad’s help When your kids might think you’re cool Where the 9/11 flag was found, and how Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Brad Meltzer - https://bradmeltzer.com The Lightning Rod: A Zig and Nola Novel (Escape Artist Book 2) - https://books2read.com/escapeartistbook2 J.’s “Subtle Art” NFTs (and others) on OpenSea - https://opensea.io/jthorn Story Rubric - http://storyru
Mon, March 07, 2022
Emotion is Everything with Film/TV Producer Scott Steindorff
Producer Scott Steindorff knows that emotion is everything to any good book, show, or movie. By writing characters that are round, relatable, and emotionally involved, he commands the attention of his audience and keeps them coming back for more. Scott is a TV and film producer well known for projects like “The Lincoln Lawyer," “Las Vegas," and “Station Eleven." To watch “Station Eleven” now, follow the link below. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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 the pandemic affected Station Eleven’s production Why TV production can take years What power authors have in the production of their books How to create characters that people want to watch Why to be careful of writing too much of yourself in your characters Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Scott Steindorff - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0825877/ “Station Eleven” - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10574236/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicoru
Mon, February 28, 2022
Q&A Episode - February 2022
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. Join New York Times best-seller, J.D. Barker, and indie powerhouses J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon as they pull back the curtain on some of the world's most prolific authors. Where did they start? What is their process? The biggest names in publishing all have origin stories, all have a process, all have tips and secrets... What does it take to consistently top the bestseller lists? Get your notepad out. School's in session. This, is Writers, Ink. Join us on Patreon and ask a question guaranteed to be answered on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: What steps do you take to try to even out your cash flow over the course of the year? Do you think the idea of a solo writer in a cabin in the woods is outdated in this hyperconnected day and age? How do you structure your days and working times when you work on multiple books at the same time? What works well, what didn‘t work well in this regard? How would you recommend going about setting up an author website? Name at least one book which has influenced some of your writing and say what you got or learned from this book. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, February 21, 2022
How to Pivot Your Story with Eliza Jane Brazier
Eliza Jane Brazier knows the benefit of pivoting your story at the right time. When her latest book, Good Rich People , wasn’t living up to her expectations, she put in the effort to rewrite her entire manuscript twice in order to achieve a rounder, more complex story that she could be proud of. Eliza is well known for her thriller, If I Disappear , and works as a screenwriter and journalist when she isn’t writing. To purchase Good Rich People , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Eliza Jane Brazier is an author, screenwriter, and journalist. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she is developing If I Disappear for television. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: Why Eliza loves “Fleabag” How she found her voice How to balance writing for yourself and your audience How to write yourself into your characters Why to be careful of “clean” first drafts Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ The Carbon Almanac - https://books2read.com/carbonalmanac Eliza Jane Brazier - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2210719/eliza-jane-brazier/ Good Rich People - https://mybook.to/GoodRichPeople Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - <a href="http
Mon, February 14, 2022
Finding Time to Write with NYT Bestseller Jonathan Kellerman
Bestseller Jonathan Kellerman knows how to find time to write. From raising children for almost thirty-two years to practicing psychology professionally to maintaining a dedication to playing and collecting guitars, he still finds time in his schedule to pursue his love of writing. Jonathan wrote his first book, When the Bough Breaks , in 1985 and has published a bestseller every year since. His latest novel, City of the Dead , is available below. From Amazon.com: Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen bestselling crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter. With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes. With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored The Golem of Hollywood and The Golem of Paris. He is also the author of two children’s books and numerous nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California, New Mexico, and New York. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: Why Jonathan prefers to fly under the radar Why LA is the best setting for a crime novel The state of information and accessibility How to decide when to collaborate How to regulate your writing pace Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Jonathan Kellerman - <a href="https://www.jonathankell
Mon, February 07, 2022
Writing Complicated Characters with NYT Bestseller Gregg Hurwitz
Bestseller Gregg Hurwitz knows the importance of writing complicated characters. By blurring the lines of good and evil, choosing to write protagonists and antagonists rather than heroes and villains, and incorporating complex moral dilemmas into his plots, he creates characters whose moral vagueness is both interesting and relatable. Gregg is an international bestselling author well known for his Orphan X thriller series and for his role as co-president of International Thriller Writers. To order his latest Orphan X novel, Dark Horse , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty thrillers including OUT OF THE DARK (January 2019). His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in thirty languages. Additionally, he's written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks. Gregg lives with his two Rhodesian ridgebacks in Los Angeles, where he continues to play soccer, frequently injuring himself. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: Why Gregg “trains” to write books How to build subtle pressure How to naturally incorporate exposition How to use a rolling outline Why finding your voice takes time Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Gregg Hurwitz - https://gregghurwitz.net/ Dark Horse - https://mybook.to/DarkHorse Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - <
Mon, January 31, 2022
The Secrets to Success with #1 NYT Bestseller Dean Koontz
In this episode, legendary author Dean Koontz shares his secrets to success; from sticking to a rigorous daily writing routine to writing across genres, he shares his tried and tested tips and techniques for becoming a better author. One of the most well known authors in the world, Dean has been writing for over fifty years and has sold over 500 million copies worldwide. To order his latest novel, Quicksilver , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Dean Koontz, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirits of their goldens, Trixie and Anna. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: Why Dean writes page by page How to tell when a publisher’s input is correct How to write across genres What young writers are doing wrong One of Dean’s favorite craft tips Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ NLA End of Year Stats: https://nelsonagency.com/2022/01/2021-nla-end-of-year-stats/ Best of BookTook - https://bestofbooktok.com/ Dean Koontz - https://www.deankoontz.com/ Quicksilver - https://mybook.to/QuicksilverBook Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - <a href="https://www.kobo.com/p/writinglife?utm_source=Writers%2C+Ink&utm_medium=Podc
Mon, January 24, 2022
Drawing Inspiration From Real Life with NYT Bestseller Lisa Gardner
Lisa Gardner loves to draw inspiration from real life when writing her books. Whether she’s using her favorite hiking trail as a setting, reading a fascinating true crime article, or interviewing field experts for accurate information, her commitment to the realistic and plausible makes her stories all the more thrilling. Lisa is a NYT bestselling author who is published in thirty countries and is well known for books like The Neighbor and Before She Disappeared . To order her latest novel, One Step Too Far , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: New York Times #1 bestselling crime novelist Lisa Gardner began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure, criminal minds and twisted plots into a streak of bestselling suspense novels. Her 2010 novel, THE NEIGHBOR, won Best Thriller from the International Thriller Writers. Most recently, she was honored with the Silver Bullet Award for her work with at-risk kids and homeless animals. Lisa loves to hike, travel the world, and yes, read, read, read! J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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 to write everyday characters How physical activity can impact your writing The craft of writing a non-human character How to maximize danger within your setting The importance of excellent research Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Lisa Gardner - https://www.lisagardner.com/ One Step Too Far - https://mybook.to/OneStep Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com
Mon, January 17, 2022
Keeping Yourself Going with NYT Bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub
Wendy Corsi Staub knows how to keep things interesting after writing so many novels. By switching up her writing routine and process, branching out into areas like screenwriting, and reminding herself of why she’s writing in the first place, she maintains her enthusiasm for her work and always looks forward to conquering a new challenge. Wendy is a NYT bestselling author who has written over ninety novels and is well known for her Lily Dale mystery series. To preorder her upcoming novel, The Other Family , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than ninety novels, best known for the single title psychological suspense novels she writes under her own name. Those books and the women’s fiction she writes under the pseudonym Wendy Markham have also appeared on the USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookscan bestseller lists. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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 Wendy discovered creative writing in 3rd grade How to add a charged object to your story The importance of comic relief characters Why dictation can help with dialogue The differences between screenwriting and novel writing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Bundle - https://storybundle.com/writing Wendy Corsi Staub - https://wendycorsistaub.com/ The Other Family - https://mybook.to/TheOtherFamily Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - <a href="http://sc
Mon, January 10, 2022
Supporting Local Bookstores with Elle McKenzie of Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org is an amazing way to support local bookstores through COVID-19 and beyond. By providing store owners with a unique way to market their books online and paying them 30% of each sale, Bookshop has raised millions to help support these small businesses through the pandemic. Elle McKenzie has been with Bookshop since its early days in May 2020 and has worked closely with the company as they’ve expanded across the states and into Spain and the UK. To visit Bookshop.org or contact Elle, follow the links below. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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 to use Bookshop.org as a reader How to support bookstores across the country When the site will leave beta What Amazon thinks about Bookshop How authors can use Bookshop Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/ Elle McKenzie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellemckenzie Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Scene Rubric - http://scenerubric.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/contact/
Mon, January 03, 2022
Behind the Scenes of WOOL with NYT Bestseller Hugh Howey
Bestseller Hugh Howey is fascinated by the behind-the-scenes production of the Wool TV series. With actors reshooting scene after scene, putting themselves on the line for stunts and fight scenes, and whole teams of designers and other specialists working to enhance the show, he’s gotten to see his writing adapted into something just as spectacular. Hugh is a NYT bestselling author who has published his work in over 40 countries and has won critical acclaim for his three serialized works: Wool , Silo , and Sand . For news on the Wool show, visit Hugh’s website using the link below. From Amazon.com: Hugh Howey is the author of the award-winning Molly Fyde saga and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling WOOL series. The WOOL OMNIBUS won Kindle Book Review’s 2012 Indie Book of the Year Award — it has been as high as #1 on Amazon — and 40 countries have picked up the work for translation. Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian are adapting the work for 20th Century Fox. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. 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: Why the entertainment industry is more protective of leaked info What percentage of recorded footage makes it into an episode How production has influenced Hugh’s perspective on TV Hugh’s new screenwriting project How to write for a budget Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Hugh Howey - https://hughhowey.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music by Nicorus - <a href="https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dus
Mon, December 27, 2021
Q&A Episode - December 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. J.K. Rowling was nearly homeless when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Stephen King penned CARRIE on a small desk wedged between a washer and dryer. James Patterson worked in advertising and famously wrote the Toys “R” Us theme song long before becoming an author. Join New York Times best-seller, J.D. Barker, and indie powerhouses J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon as they pull back the curtain on some of the world's most prolific authors. Where did they start? What is their process? The biggest names in publishing all have origin stories, all have a process, all have tips and secrets... What does it take to consistently top the bestseller lists? Get your notepad out. School's in session. This, is Writers, Ink. Join us on Patreon and ask a question guaranteed to be answered on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: How does someone begin an email list when they don’t have any books written or any content on their website? Out of the 3 of you, who would be on Santa’s naughty list? Marvel movie fans or not marvel movie fans? If fans, to what level? What is the best way to rejuvenate your backlist? Travel back in time: What advice would you give your younger self about working on your very first book? Getting into NFTs for books early: is J crazy or brilliant? Given that FB is going into the metaverse, do you think that in the near future, your Avatar will walk along a metaverse road, see an advertising hoarding advert for a book, go into a metaverse bookshop and then buy the ebook version of the book you saw advertised? Discuss. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, December 20, 2021
Reckless Road: Guns N’ Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction with Jason Porath
In Reckless Road , author Jason Porath unveils the true stories behind Guns N’ Roses. Through a collaboration with Marc Canter, a close friend of the band for many years, he used his writing expertise to turn an archive of photos, videos, and interviews into a captivating narrative history of the early days of one of rock and roll’s biggest bands. To check out Reckless Road , follow the link below. Jason is the author of Reckless Road: Guns N’ Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction as well as Mugshots: A Celebration of the Journey from Ruin to Redemption. He’s won multiple achievement awards for his work and his writing has been translated into eight languages. Jason’s background with multimedia storytelling spans a wide array of mediums including documentary films, photojournalism, mobile apps and technology startups. He was a pioneer with some of the first iOS storytelling apps to hit the market and founded Storycode, a storytelling mobile app development agency, which he sold in 2015. Marc has entrusted Jason with his vast archive of photographs, recordings and stories to create entertaining and engaging products for generations of Guns N’ Roses fans 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 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: If Jason ever predicted a GNR reunion How his collaboration with Marc came about How to internally deal with a pivot The Hero’s Journey of Guns n’ Roses How he built a narrative from Marc’s archive of content Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Reckless Road - https://mybook.to/RecklessRoad Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Ove
Mon, December 13, 2021
The Art of Simplicity with Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers is a master of keeping it simple. Whether he’s drafting in an ancient 70s terminal, writing concise newsletters, or living with a single minifridge, he uses simplicity as a method to stay calm, collected, and down-to-earth in his writing. Derek is well known as the founder of independent music website CD Baby. He was a musician for many years and currently publishes books independently. To purchase his latest book, How to Live , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: After making a living as a professional musician, Derek Sivers went looking for ways to sell his own CD online and ended up creating CD Baby, once the largest seller of independent music on the web with over $100M in sales for over 150,000 musician clients. Since 2008, Derek has traveled the world and stayed busy creating and nurturing creative endeavors, like Muckwork, his newest company where teams of efficient assistants help musicians do their “uncreative dirty work.” Derek writes regularly on creativity, entrepreneurship, and music on his blog: http://sivers.org/. 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 to stop getting angry Why How to Live is the best book Derek’s ever written How to cut 1,200 pages from your rough draft How Derek developed his minimalistic writing style Why brevity is key Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Derek Sivers - https://sive.rs/ J.’s ZIGGURAT by Mike Shinoda - https://ziggurats.xyz/#/gallery/90 Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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.co
Mon, December 06, 2021
Writing About the Pandemic with NYT Bestseller Jodi Picoult
Bestseller Jodi Picoult didn’t back down from the challenge of writing a story set during the pandemic. In her latest novel, Wish You Were Here , she uses her excellent character writing skills and days of research and interview material to compel readers to relive the relatable confusion and chaos of early lockdown through the lens of two lovers separated by travel restrictions. Jodi is well known for bestselling novels like My Sister’s Keeper and Small Great Things . She has published 26 books, selling over 40 million copies worldwide. To purchase Wish You Were Here , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty five internationally bestselling novels, including MY SISTER'S KEEPER, HOUSE RULES and SMALL GREAT THINGS, and has also co-written two YA books with her daughter Samantha van Leer, BETWEEN THE LINES and OFF THE PAGE. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. Her most recent adult novel, A SPARK OF LIGHT first published in the UK on 30th October 2018, and was a #1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. 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. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Jodi got through a 16-month quarantine How the pandemic changed her writing process How to settle on a setting for your story Why now is the best time to write about the pandemic The importance of writing yourself into your characters Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Dragons of a Different Tail: 17 Unusual Dragon Tales - https://books2read.com/dragonantho Jodi Picoult - https://www.garygrossman.com/ Wish You Were Here - https://mybook.to/WishUWereHere Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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 - <a href="http://www.nh
Mon, November 29, 2021
Q&A Episode - November 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: I’ve been writing some short stories lately as a way to sharpen my skills with story structures. I’m thinking some of them might work well as full-length novels. I like that the short story provides a solid outline to develop a longer character in a more involved plot line. My question for you is, have you ever taken a short story and expanded it into a novel? And what was your experience? How do you weigh administrative costs vs potential returns? You are each building things outside of just writing books (Zach just started a Discord, J's doing NFTs, and JD is has real estate investments). Knowing that with each of these things there is a cost of time and effort, how do you decide if something is worth it? Also, how do you think about the term limit on that investment (discord groups or NFTs could potentially go on forever)? Does that weigh into your decision-making? Hey J, Zach, and JD... how do you view the holiday season--a time to get away from writing, or a time to double-down when everyone else is busy? When should you start shopping for a book cover-before, in the middle, or after you’re finished writing your manuscript? What are your go-to’s for podcasts and blogs? Perhaps you could each answer this. Ignore cover, blurb, title, marketing etc. What one writing skill would you like to improve for your own writing, and how could you gain that skill? Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.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 Studi
Mon, November 22, 2021
Finding Co-Writing Chemistry with Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller
Bestsellers Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller know the importance of good co-writing chemistry. In their award-winning thriller series, Red Hotel, Gary combines his knowledge of the entertainment industry with Ed’s captivating true stories to create novels that feel fascinatingly real. Gary has worked with popular media for many years and has produced for over 27 cable networks, while Ed served as president of Marriott for several decades and served as a captain in the U.S. army. To order their latest novel, Red Deception , follow the link below. 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 Gary met Ed The specifics of their collaboration process Why you should utilize real stories in your writing How to handle disagreements with your co-writer The fiction writing process vs. the nonfiction writing process Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Gary Grossman - https://www.garygrossman.com/ Ed Fuller - https://edwinfuller.com/ Red Deception - https://mybook.to/RedDeception Written Word Media 2021 Survey - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/the-state-of-indie-authorship-in-2021/ Creatokia - https://www.creatokia.com/en Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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 Co
Mon, November 15, 2021
Led Zeppelin: The Biography with NYT Bestseller Bob Spitz
In his latest book, Led Zeppelin: The Biography , legendary biographer and journalist Bob Spitz documents the secret life of one of rock and roll’s biggest bands. Through his excellent use of storytelling combined with credibly sourced information, he’s able to write nonfiction that’s both gripping and true. Bob is a bestselling author well known for retelling the lives of many popular figures, including Ronald Reagan and The Beatles. To order Led Zeppelin: The Biography , follow the link below. From BobSpitz.com: Bob Spitz is the award-winning author of the biographies Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child and The Beatles , both New York Times bestsellers, as well as six other nonfiction books and a screenplay. He has represented Bruce Springsteen and Elton John in several capacities. His articles appear regularly in magazines and newspapers. 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: What it’s like touring with Bruce Springsteen and Elton John The importance of drawing your own conclusions The process of writing a biography Why main characters are the most unreliable narrators The importance of correct, transparent sourcing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Bob Spitz - https://bobspitz.com/ Led Zeppelin: The Biography - https://mybook.to/LedZeppelinBio Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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 Co
Wed, November 10, 2021
Special Episode: WOOL Update with NYT Bestseller Hugh Howey
Join returning guest Hugh Howey in this special episode as he shares an update on the WOOL adaptation from bestselling serial to streaming sensation. Hugh is a NYT bestselling author who has published his work in over 40 countries and has won critical acclaim for his three serialized works: Wool , Silo , and Sand . For news on the Wool show, visit Hugh’s website using the link below. From Amazon.com: Hugh Howey is the author of the award-winning Molly Fyde saga and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling WOOL series. The WOOL OMNIBUS won Kindle Book Review's 2012 Indie Book of the Year Award — it has been as high as #1 on Amazon — and 40 countries have picked up the work for translation. Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian are adapting the work for 20th Century Fox. 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. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Hugh Howey - https://hughhowey.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, November 08, 2021
100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet with NYT Editor Pamela Paul
In her latest book, 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet , Pamela Paul urges her readers to take a step back and contemplate just how much the internet has shaped society. From its influence on the very basis of social interaction to the way authors think about and write stories, she seeks to capture all the ways new tech has changed our world and “memorialize the very recent past”. Pamela is the editor of The New York Times Book Review, host of the Book Review podcast, and has written seven books in her free time. To order 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet , follow the link below. 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: Why J likes interviewing other podcasters COVID-19’s effect on the writing process How to switch from op-eds to traditional book writing How to deal with writer’s block How to write while commuting Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Creator Dad Podcast - http://creatordad.life/ Pamela Paul - https://www.pamelapaul.com/ 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet - https://mybook.to/100Things Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, November 01, 2021
Facing Your Challenges with NYT Bestseller Andrew Child
Andrew Child never backs down from a challenge. Whether it’s leaving a stable corporate job to pursue a writing career or picking up the reins of his brother’s legendary Jack Reacher series, his willingness to take risks and put himself out there have helped him become the successful writer he is today. Child has been writing full-time since 2008 and is most known for his David Trevellyan and Paul McGrath series. His latest release, Better Off Dead , is available below. From Amazon.com: Andrew Grant was born in Birmingham, England in May 1968. He went to school in St Albans, Hertfordshire and later attended the University of Sheffield where he studied English Literature and Drama. After graduation Andrew set up and ran a small independent theatre company which showcased a range of original material to local, regional and national audiences. Following a critically successful but financially challenging appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Andrew moved into the telecommunications industry as a 'temporary' solution to a short-term cash crisis. Fifteen years later, after carrying out a variety of roles including several which were covered by the UK's Official Secrets Act, Andrew became the victim / beneficiary of a widespread redundancy programme. Freed once again from the straight jacket of corporate life, he took the opportunity to answer the question, what if ... ? 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 to co-write with your brother When to pursue an agent vs. self-publish Why to market a persona during conferences and events The benefits of a pen name Why remote teamwork can be effective Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Andrew Child - https://andrewgrantbooks.com/ Better Off Dead - https://mybook.to/BetterOff Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.c
Mon, October 25, 2021
Q&A Episode - October 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: Hey guys, this is Rebekah Bryan, or Bek. My question is, what are different considerations, if any, for writing, publishing, and marketing nonfiction compared to fiction? And do you have any tips for someone who is looking to dabble in nonfiction? Thanks! How would each of you describe “show, don’t tell?” Besides writing, what would you recommend to do to grow in the craft when in person events are not feasible? What are each of you going to dress up as for Halloween? Do you think Tolkein would be able to get Lord of the Rings (not The Hobbit) accepted for traditional publication today? Why? How would you go about inventing a religion for a fantasy/horror story? Where would you start? I’m curious what Stephen King collection JD asks his mentees to read, and what questions are on the character sheet he uses before he starts writing a character. With J. recently finishing Save the Cat Writes a Novel, I’m wondering how each of you use it when you’re writing fiction. What % of fiction books do you think are bought and never read? I ask this because I often buy a book based on a logline alone but never get around to reading it. It is something you never hear writers talk about and shows the value of a great logline. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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 - <a href="http://www.nhpr.com/
Mon, October 18, 2021
Finishing What You Start with MJ Preston
MJ Preston knows the importance of returning to unfinished work. After sitting with a manuscript for over two decades, he made the decision to revise and release it as The Equinox in 2011. Little did he know, the novel would reach the quarterfinals of Amazon’s Breakthrough Awards and win critical acclaim from various authors, even being compared to the likes of Stephen King. MJ has released ten novels and also pursues art in his free time. His latest publication, Four is available below. From Amazon.com: To my neighbors, I am a quiet and assuming guy who works blue-collar. What they don’t know is that I also write dark speculative fiction. My work has been printed all over the world. I have four novels on the market and a fifth and sixth in production. My short fiction is available with numerous pubs, including magazines and anthologies. I have my own writing style but would say I was influenced by authors like Robert R. McCammon, Joe R. Lansdale, and John Sandford. 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: The power of word-of-mouth Why the scariest monsters are real ones How to write yourself into your story How to write with a day job How music inspires writing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ MJ Preston - https://www.amazon.com/MJ-Preston/e/B005JTQMZY?ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vu00_tkin_p1_i0 Four - https://mybook.to/FourMJ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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 recor
Mon, October 11, 2021
I Am Not Who You Think I Am with NYT Bestseller Eric Rickstad
One secret. Eight cryptic words. Lifetimes of ruin. In his latest novel, I Am Not Who You Think I Am , Eric Rickstad uses vivid personal memories and intentionally constructed settings to create a gripping thriller tale. Rickstad is a NYT and international bestseller well known for his Canaan series, which includes stories like The Names of Dead Girls and Lie in Wait . To order I Am Not Who You Think I Am , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Eric Rickstad is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Canaan Crime Series novels, which includes THE NAMES OF DEAD GIRLS, THE SILENT GIRLS, and LIE IN WAIT. These dark, psychological page-turners with a dash of the Gothic are set in remote, northern Vermont, and have been heralded as masterful, disturbing, profound and heartbreaking. Rickstad's first novel, REAP, was a New York Times Noteworthy Novel. His latest novel WHAT REMAINS OF HER will be published July 24, 2018. Rickstad lives in Vermont with his wife, son, and daughter, and writes all his first drafts with a pencil in notebooks, often outside in the Vermont woods. 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: Why Eric doesn’t outline How to employ personal memories in writing Why to draft on paper Why setting is character How to find a good agent Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Eric Rickstad - https://rickstad.com/ I Am Not Who You Think I Am - https://mybook.to/IAmNotWho Story Origin beta read program - https://storyoriginapp.com/blog/how-to-find-beta-readers-and-collect-feedback Top of the Horror charts - https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/entertainment/whats-on/
Fri, October 08, 2021
Necessary Sacrifices with #1 NY Times bestseller, Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks has become one of the most prolific and successful authors of our generation. Beginning with The Notebook, Sparks has had multiple New York Times Bestsellers and countless film adaptations. He has generated legions of adoring fans who delight in his version of the modern love story, which he discusses in this bonus episode of Writers, Ink. From Amazon.com: Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 105 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 75 million copies in the United States alone. Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018) and The Return (2020) as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-second novel, The Wish, was published on September 28, 2021. Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook is also being adapted into a musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson. Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4x400 meter, in New York. The record still stands. The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to improving cultural and international understanding through global education experiences for students of all ages was launched in 2011. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers
Mon, October 04, 2021
How to Dictate a Novel with Kevin J Anderson
Writing icon Kevin J Anderson creates his stories through a unique medium: dictation. By drafting through dictation instead of typing, he both produces ideas naturally without the stress of grammatically picking apart each sentence and easily comes up with casual, believable dialogue. Anderson has been in the writing industry for over thirty years and has written with all kinds of artistic legends, from Brian Herbert to Rush’s Neil Peart. To order Dune: The Lady of Caladan , his latest release, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: I have written more than 165 books, including 56 national or international bestsellers. I have over 23 million books in print worldwide in thirty languages. I've been nominated for the Nebula Award, Hugo Award, Bram Stoker Award, Shamus Award, and Silver Falchion Award, and I've won the SFX Readers' Choice Award, Golden Duck Award, Scribe Award, and New York Times Notable Book; in 2012 at San Diego Comic Con I received the Faust Grand Master Award for Lifetime Achievement. 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 Kevin befriended Neil Peart Why to dictate your dialogue How to outline your dictation Why “stealing” ideas can be helpful The importance of a writing community Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Kevin J Anderson - https://www.wordfire.com/ Dune: The Lady of Caladan - https://mybook.to/Caladan The Relaxed Author (Books For Writers Book 13) Kindle Edition by Joanna Penn (Author), Mark Leslie Lefebvre - https://books2read.com/u/4jo7Xv J.’s NFT Experiment - https://theauthorlife.com/sharing-royalties-with-readers-everyone-wins/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Proudly sponso
Mon, September 27, 2021
100th Episode Special: Question and Answer - September 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, September 20, 2021
Understanding the Collaborative Process with NYT Bestsellers Jon and Jesse Kellerman
Father-and-son team Jon and Jesse Kellerman know a few things about the collaborative writing process. By discussing story ideas months in advance, creating long, detailed outlines, and regularly scheduling time to meet in-person or on Zoom, the two are able to work together to masterfully craft stories. The Kellermans are both bestselling authors who have been in the industry for many years. Jon is well-known for writing novels like Double Homicide and Capital Crimes with his wife, bestseller Faye Kellerman, and Jesse is well-known for working with his father on the Clay Edison series. To order The Burning , their latest release, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen bestselling crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter. With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes. With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored The Golem of Hollywood and The Golem of Paris. He is also the author of two children’s books and numerous nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California, New Mexico, and New York. 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: What Jon and Jesse talk about at Thanksgiving When to put your characters in dire situations How to circumvent writer’s block The importance of writing every day How physical, non-verbal creative pursuits affect your writing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Jon Kellerman - https://jonathankellerman.com Jesse Kellerman - https://www.jessekeller
Mon, September 13, 2021
Adapting Wool for TV with NYT Bestseller Hugh Howey
Join returning guest Hugh Howey as he talks about the complex, multifaceted process of having his bestselling sci-fi novel, Wool , adapted for TV and addresses the concerns and realizations he’s had along the way. Hugh is a NYT bestselling author who has published his work in over 40 countries and has won critical acclaim for his three serialized works: Wool , Silo , and Sand . For news on the Wool show, visit Hugh’s website using the link below. From Amazon.com: Hugh Howey is the author of the award-winning Molly Fyde saga and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling WOOL series. The WOOL OMNIBUS won Kindle Book Review's 2012 Indie Book of the Year Award — it has been as high as #1 on Amazon — and 40 countries have picked up the work for translation. Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian are adapting the work for 20th Century Fox. 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 to manage expectations for adaptations The importance of humbling yourself as an author Why we reward pessimistic thinking How to deal with imposter syndrome Why creativity can be mechanical Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Hugh Howey - https://hughhowey.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, September 06, 2021
Blending the Lines of Genre with Joyce Carol Oates
Legendary writer Joyce Carol Oates is a master of blending the lines of genre. In her most recent anthology, Night Neon , she employs eerily multidimensional characters, elements of hallucination and memory loss, and a unique blend of literary and genre fiction to develop gripping, unsuspecting horror stories. Oates, a staple in the writing industry, released her first short story, Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? in 1966 and has since published over 70 books and received multiple Pulitzer nominations. To order Night Neon and Breathe , her latest release, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Joyce Carol Oates is the author of more than 70 books, including novels, short story collections, poetry volumes, plays, essays, and criticism, including the national bestsellers We Were the Mulvaneys and Blonde. Among her many honors are the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction and the National Book Award. Oates is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University, and has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978. 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 to create multidimensional characters The difference between literary fiction and genre fiction What makes a ghost How physical activity influences creativity The benefits of outlining on paper Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Joyce Carol Oates - https://twitter.com/JoyceCarolOates?s=20 Night Neon - https://mybook.to/NightNeon Breathe - https://mybook.to/BreatheNovel Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music
Mon, August 30, 2021
Question and Answer Episode - August 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: Will malevolent construction workers who infiltrate homes and never leave be incorporated into JD's next horror novel? JD... have you considered approaching HGTV about your own show? How do you protect your work legally? Where can you find beta readers? J, re: your short story experiment, do you stockpile concepts or write whatever strikes you when you sit down to write that week's story? Zach... if someone only has a half day of extra time when they attend the Career Author Summit in September, what are a few Nashville must-do's? What do you think improves the chance of a novel being film optioned? Ignore author name, sales and marketing. Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, August 23, 2021
Adapting Stephen King for Television with Peter and Jason Filardi
Adapted from Stephen King’s “Jerusalem’s Lot”, Chapelwaite is a true gothic horror tale. Throughout the television series, the Filardi brothers use elements of slow-burning suspense, specific dialogue choices, and world-changing decisions to bring Captain Charles Boone and the strange town of Preacher’s Corners, Maine to life. Peter and Jason Filardi are both accomplished screenwriters who’ve worked on the likes of Bringing Down the House , 17 Again , The Craft , and more. To catch season one of Chapelwaite , follow the link below. 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 to adapt stories for different mediums How to co-write remotely Why not to be too precious with an idea How to raise suspense past the limit The behind-the-scenes of screenwriting Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Peter Filardi - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0276823/ Jason Filardi - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0276821/ Chapelwaite - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11525188/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, August 16, 2021
Chasing the Boogeyman with NYT Bestseller Richard Chizmar
A thrilling blend of fiction, true crime, and memoir-- in his latest novel, Chasing the Boogeyman , NYT bestseller Richard Chizmar utilizes real childhood memories, urban legends, and cleverly constructed add-ons and external media to craft a story so intense and believable it has readers thinking the crimes legitimately took place. Richard has been published in over fifteen languages and is well known for cowriting Gwendy’s Button Box with Stephen King and for his iconic magazine, Cemetery Dance . To preorder Chasing the Boogeyman , which releases tomorrow, follow the link below. 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 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: Why Rich chose to blend fiction with reality How much of Chasing the Boogeyman is actually true His approach to writing a uniquely structured novel Why he chose to include photographs and other media Why modern childhoods are “less crazy” Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ J.’s Vella project - https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/product/B0994PXSP1 Richard Chizmar - https://richardchizmar.com/ </p
Mon, August 09, 2021
Ditching Your Comfort Zone with NYT Bestseller Chuck Wendig
Whether he’s releasing a new book or a new blog post, bestseller Chuck Wendig pushes himself to “just do it.” By drafting each story using a different, unorthodox outlining process or resisting the urge to drop a current project to pursue a new one, he seeks to deviate away from what is most comfortable in favor of producing his best work. Chuck has been in the industry for over two decades and is well known for his blog "Terribleminds" and for massively popular releases like Wanderers . His latest publication, The Book of Accidents , is available now. From Amazon.com: Chuck Wendig is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Aftermath, as well as the Miriam Black thrillers, the Atlanta Burns books, and the Heartland YA series, alongside other works across comics, games, film, and more. A finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer and the cowriter of the Emmy-nominated digital narrative Collapsus, he is also known for his popular blog, terribleminds.com, and his books about writing. He lives in Pennsylvania 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 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: Why Chuck killed Paul Tremblay How to generate framing aspects The importance of finishing what you start Why self publishing is a lot of work The power struggle between publishers and Amazon Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ LAST DAY FOR TICKETS IS AUGUST 15! The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Chuck Wendig - https://terribleminds.com/ramble/ The Book of Accidents - https://mybook.to/BookOfAccidents Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ M
Mon, August 02, 2021
The one where New York Times bestseller Karin Slaughter gives up all her secrets (and talks writing thrillers, too).
A tale of two sisters rediscovering a troubled past-- in her latest novel, False Witness , international bestseller Karin Slaughter uses the real complexities of childhood trauma to develop rounder, more interesting characters while paying special attention to the accurate representation of traumatized individuals so that the story feels realistic and relatable. A bestseller of over 35 million copies in 120 countries, Slaughter is one of the best writers in the thriller genre and is known for captivating tales like Pretty Girls and The Good Daughter . To order False Witness , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Karin Slaughter is one of the world's most popular and acclaimed storytellers. Published in 120 countries with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her 21 novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated COP TOWN and the instant NYT bestselling stand-alone novels PRETTY GIRLS, THE GOOD DAUGHTER, and PIECES OF HER. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project--a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta. Her stand-alone novel PIECES OF HER is in development with Netflix, starring Toni Collette, and the Grant County and Will Trent series are in development for television. 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: Karin’s Save the Libraries Project How to humanize “troubled” characters When to write authentically but mindfully How to fit writing into a work schedule The role of hardship in art Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ J.’s Vella project - https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/product/B0994PXSP1 Karin Slaughter - https://www.karinslaughter.com/ Save the Libraries - http://www.savethelibraries.com/ False Witness - https://mybook.t
Mon, July 26, 2021
Question and Answer Episode - July 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: I know J. has tried doing a dialogue only first draft, and I'd love to know what you think now. Will this be part of your normal process going forward? I'm trying it myself now, after a conversation with Jeff Elkins. I can definitely Here’s a question that J. gets to ask everyone else, and I’m going to ask you...where do you see the publishing landscape in 5 years? I'm struggling to find my voice for my newsletter. Any advice or will it just take practice and trial and error? Do you think it's worth the effort to create free stories to offer readers, especially prospective readers, as a marketing strategy? I don't mean just a reader magnet, but stories offered in addition to that. What do each of you think are 3 necessary elements of a bestseller (100K+ sales) ignoring author name, sales and marketing. They could be 3 things that stood out for you from a bestseller you have read, or 3 things you suggest one might try to include in a novel. What’s the best piece of advice you have received or given in regards to writing? What are your recommendations for getting started in ghostwriting fiction? If you break it down in a rough estimate: How much of your working time on any day do you spend on writing versus publishing (incl. marketing, preparing the book pages on the platforms and such)? And what's the first thing you'd outsource? When do you read? Or an expanded question: How does your typical day look like regarding Writing, Business, Reading? Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ The Serial Fiction Show Podcast - https://www.serialfictionshow.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - <a href="http
Mon, July 19, 2021
Simplicity Is Key with NYT Bestseller Riley Sager
A girl, a killer, a car-- the premise for bestseller Riley Sager’s latest novel, Survive the Night , feels dauntingly simple, but by focusing on solid character development and intense dialogue while omitting needless setting changes and extra characters, he allows the simple brilliance of the story’s concept to shine through. Riley, a returning guest on the podcast, is the international bestseller of Final Girls and is known for other bestselling novels like The Last Time I Lied and Lock Every Door . To purchase Survive the Night , follow the link below. 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 that's been translated into more than 25 languages. His subsequent novels, THE LAST TIME I LIED, LOCK EVERY DOOR and HOME BEFORE DARK, were instant New York Times bestsellers. His newest thriller, SURVIVE THE NIGHT, will be released in June. 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 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: The cons of using too much nostalgia Why different mediums impact the feel of a story How to pace yourself when writing How to keep your readers off balance The importance of a good title Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ J.’s Vella project - https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/product/B0994PXSP1 Riley Sager - https://www.rileysagerbooks.com/ Survive the Night - https://mybook.to/SurviveTheNight Story Rubric - http://sto
Mon, July 12, 2021
Writing Comedic Horror with NYT Bestseller Grady Hendrix
NYT Bestseller Grady Hendrix is a master of voicing his comedic ideas in an unexpected genre: horror. By focusing on timing and relevancy and making sure to meticulously revise, he’s able to write jokes that are appropriately placed and contribute to the feel of the story instead of subtracting from it. Hendrix is best known for Horrorstör , a thrilling haunted house story which is currently being produced for the big screen. His newest novel, The Final Girl Support Group , releases tomorrow. From Amazon.com: New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix makes up lies and sells them to people. His novels include HORRORSTÖR about a haunted IKEA, MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM, which is basically "Beaches" meets "The Exorcist", WE SOLD OUR SOULS, a heavy metal horror epic, THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES, and THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP, coming on July 13, 2021. He's also the author of PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, an award-winning history of the horror paperback boom of the Seventies and Eighties. He wrote the screenplay for, MOHAWK, a horror flick about the War of 1812, and SATANIC PANIC about a pizza delivery woman fighting rich Satanists. You can discover more ridiculous facts about him at www.gradyhendrix.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: Why it’s ok to have a fluid writing process Why to explore writing short stories Approaches to writing in stigmatized genres How Grady transitioned from journalism to fiction The importance of accepting criticism Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Grady Hendrix - http://www.gradyhendrix.com/ The Final Girl Support Group - https://mybook.to/FinalGirl Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.c
Mon, July 05, 2021
Overcoming Rejection with Bestseller T.J. Newman
Bestseller T.J. Newman has proven that you can write in any situation given enough dedication. Not only did she write her debut novel, Falling , on a notepad while working long hours as a flight attendant, but also pushed through over forty rejections before landing a publishing deal. Falling , Newman’s first and only novel about a perilous mid-flight decision, has won critical acclaim from the likes of James Patterson and Lee Child for its suspense and original plot. To order Falling , which hits shelves tomorrow, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: T.J. Newman, a former bookseller turned flight attendant, worked for Virgin America and Alaska Airlines from 2011 to 2021. She wrote much of Falling on cross-country red-eye flights while her passengers were asleep. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona. 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: What drink J would order on a plane How to write during a flight The importance of story beats How to title your book T.J.’s unique pre-writing process Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ T.J. Newman - https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/T-J-Newman/181729548 Falling - https://mybook.to/FallingBook Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 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://ww
Mon, June 28, 2021
Question and Answer Episode - June 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: I know J. has tried doing a dialogue only first draft, and I'd love to know what you think now. Will this be part of your normal process going forward? I'm trying it myself now, after a conversation with Jeff Elkins. I can definitely see the benefit, but it's taking me a lot longer. Any tips to share? Thank you! I will be releasing the final book in a trilogy soon, and I'm thinking about whether to start some paid advertising. I'd start with services like BookBub or The Fussy Librarian to test the waters. Since the trilogy will be complete and I can get read-through, is this a good idea? Or should I wait until I have a few more books out? Thanks! What aspect of the writing process have you recently changed or tweaked? My question is about chapters/episodes in serialized fiction. I have a space opera trilogy almost ready to go and have decided to release it in a serialized version first as an experiment (on Substack instead of Vella because I'm Canadian). Is a chapter a chapter regardless of how it's released? Or should I reconsider the arc of my chapters for each format? What's the best way to get started offering author services? Where might you be able to cut corners on editing? What writing achievement would you like to be remembered for? Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music by Nicorus - <a href="https://cctrax.
Mon, June 21, 2021
Finding a Writing Workshop with Bestseller Jasmin Darznik
Bestseller Jasmin Darznik knows there are few things more important to an author than finding the right group of people to bounce ideas off of. Especially for newer writers, finding a good writing workshop is one of the quickest and most productive ways to uncover self confidence, improve story structure, and build a strong, supportive writing community. Jasmin has been a published author for over a decade and is well known for her bestselling debut novel, Song of a Captive Bird , which explores the life of iconic Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad. Her latest publication, The Bohemians , is available below. From Amazon.com: Jasmin Darznik is the author of The Bohemians (April 2021), a novel set in 1920s San Francisco. Her debut novel, Song of a Captive Bird, was a Los Angeles Times bestseller and a New York Times Book Review "Editors' Choice" book. Darznik is also the author of the New York Times bestseller The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother's Hidden Life. Her books have been published in seventeen countries and her essays have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times, among others. She holds an MFA in fiction from Bennington College and a Ph.D. in English from Princeton University. Now a professor of English and creative writing at California College of the Arts, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her 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 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: What Oprah’s magazine said about The Bohemians How to conduct research when writing historical fiction Why writers are first-class noticers Why to forget about word count How to balance writing for yourself with writing for your audience Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Jasmin Darznik - https://jasmindarznik.com/ The Bohemians: A Novel - https://mybook.to/TheBohemians Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - <a href="https:/
Fri, June 18, 2021
Talking About Bill Clinton and The President’s Daughter with #1 NY Times bestseller, James Patterson
All-time great James Patterson knows how to make readers stop and think about what he’s put on the page. Whether he’s writing with former president Bill Clinton or JD, he uses personal experiences, relatable conflicts, and characters who are misunderstood or overlooked to turn ideas into stories that excite and challenge perspectives. Patterson 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. The Noise , which he co-wrote with JD, is available for preorder now. From Amazon.com: JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. His books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades - the Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett and Private novels - and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers. 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: What it’s like to write with Bill Clinton How to spice up your covers Why great beginnings and endings are worth everything Why to accept that some stories just won’t turn out well Patterson’s progress boosting children’s reading rates Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ James Patterson - https://www.jamespatterson.com/ The Noise - https://mybook.to/TheNoise Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - <a href="https://thecareerauthor.com/summi
Mon, June 14, 2021
Building Your Public Image with Dana Kaye of Kaye Publicity
Dana Kaye knows the importance of building your public image as an author. By maintaining a balance between publicity and marketing, presenting a consistent brand or persona, and making an effort to establish oneself in their local community, authors can see a sizable increase in interested readers and new writing opportunities and connections. Dana has been in the industry for over a decade, working as a freelance writer for much of her early career before transitioning into PR help. Her firm, Kaye Publicity, specializes in generating public interest for authors around the world. From DanaKaye.com: Dana Kaye is a life-long entrepreneur who believes in the power of storytelling and authentic personal branding. In 2009, she founded Kaye Publicity, Inc. , a boutique PR company specializing in publishing and entertainment. Known for her innovative ideas and knowledge of current trends, she coaches her clients on how to identify and establish their unique personal brands. In 2016, Dana launched Murder and Mayhem in Chicago, a one-day conference dedicated to crime fiction, with mystery author Lori Rader-Day . In 2020, she co-founded Bouquet Stock Photography, a curated library of diverse and inclusive stock photos, with Felton Kizer . She is also the author of two books - Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales and The Personal Brand Workbook - and serves on the advisory board of Propel PR . 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 Dana got into PR work The three pillars of PR How to build a consistent brand or persona What authors can do to stay publicly active between book launches How to tell if a social media channel is effective or not Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/<
Mon, June 07, 2021
How to Ghost Write with International Bestseller Kathrin Hutson
Kathrin Hutson is a master ghost writer. By sticking to a set writing schedule, learning to be comfortable with less creative control, and negotiating deals with clients and publishers, she’s able to pump out four books a month, earning income and valuable writing experience all while publishing her own books on the side. Kathrin has been in the industry for over two decades and is well known for her Accessory to Magic and Blue Helix series. Her upcoming novel, The Spellcast Gate , is available for preorder below. From Amazon.com: International Bestselling Author Kathrin Hutson has been writing Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and LGBTQ Speculative Fiction since 2000. With her wildly messed-up heroes, excruciating circumstances, impossible decisions, and Happily Never Afters, she's a firm believer in piling on the intense action, showing a little character skin, and never skimping on violent means to bloody ends. Kathrin is an active member of SFWA and HWA and lives in Colorado with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. For updates on new releases, exclusive deals, and dark surprises you won't find anywhere else, sign up to Kathrin's newsletter at kathrinhutsonfiction.com/newsletter. 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: Why happy endings are boring How to block out your day for maximum efficiency How to balance ghost writing with your own writing The importance of series branding Why to write “gray” characters Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Kathrin Hutson - https://www.kathrinhutsonfiction.com/ The Spellcast Gate - https://mybook.to/SpellcastGate Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Proudly sponsored
Mon, May 31, 2021
Question and Answer Episode - May 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: Can you take us through your process of choosing a title for your books and/or series? If you had the opportunity to start your writing career again, maybe go back in time, what would you differently? How do you decide what marketing opportunities to say yes to and what to decline? I'm at the beginning of my publishing career and feel like I should say "yes" to most offers, and then be more discerning as things progress. I'm asking because I agreed to do something, and it's taking up a lot more of my time than I had anticipated and that I would like! J, it's been almost six months, how is the short story project going? How do you approach authors who are farther ahead in their careers than you? Like if you see them at a conference or if you want to reach out to them for something? How do you prefer people approaching you? What qualities are you looking for in collaborators? (writing partners, editors, cover designers, etc...) What qualities are you looking for in clients? (when you are offering an author service) I know J is writing short stories, but what other projects are each of you working on at the moment that you're willing to share? What kind of class would you pay for at this point in your career? Should I get some kind of liability protection, like from forming an S-Corp or LLC? Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobow
Mon, May 24, 2021
Rejecting Assumptions About Aging with Actor, Writer, Director, and Producer, Justine Bateman
Justine Bateman has done it all and doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. In her new book, Face: One Square Inch of Skin , she addresses irrational fear cycles, like the aging of one’s face leading to missed friendships or job opportunities, and instead introduces a healthy way of deconstructing and understanding these fears. Justine first gained popularity for her role as Mallory Keaton on 80s sitcom Family Ties and has since been involved in a number of other movies and TV shows. Her first book, Fame: The Hijacking of Reality , won acclaim for her honest evaluation of celebrity culture in today’s world. To order her latest book, follow the link below. 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: What Justine’s writing next How to stop rationalizing Formats for writing nonfiction Why to keep a folder for your ideas The importance of being faithful to your work Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Justine Bateman - https://twitter.com/JustineBateman Face: One Square Foot of Skin - https://mybook.to/FaceJustineBateman Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 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/contact/ *Full disclosure:
Mon, May 17, 2021
Writing a Novella Collection with Josh Malerman, NY Times Bestselling Author of Bird Box
Josh Malerman makes his second appearance on the show to talk about writing his new novella collection, Goblin . With this format, he’s been able to focus on exploring multiple tones and characterizing the setting itself through different characters while sticking to a central theme throughout the novellas. Malerman is a bestselling author who won international acclaim with his debut novel, Bird Box , which Netflix adapted into a film starring Sandra Bullock. In normal years, Josh also toured the country with his rock band, The High Strung. To preorder Goblin , follow the link below. 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 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: What Clive Barker said about Goblin How to characterize your setting How different tones/perspective help add to a central theme Why Malerman works on one project at a time News on Amazon’s new Vella Program Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Josh Malerman - https://joshmalerman.com/ Goblin: A Novel in Six Novellas - https://mybook.to/Goblin Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https:/
Mon, May 10, 2021
Writing Rounder Characters with Andy Weir, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author of The Martian
Bestseller Andy Weir has made a special effort to make the characters in his latest release, Project Hail Mary , as rounded out as possible. By working off of past criticism, like the need to avoid writing characters based on his own personality and focus on relatability while including reasonable flaws, he has both increased the depth of his characters and consequently strengthened his story arc. Andy has been writing for over seven years and is best known for his debut novel, The Martian , which topped the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into a hit film starring Matt Damon. To order Project Hail Mary , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: ANDY WEIR built a two-decade career as a software engineer until the success of his first published novel, The Martian, allowed him to live out his dream of writing full-time. He is a lifelong space nerd and a devoted hobbyist of such subjects as relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned spaceflight. He also mixes a mean cocktail. 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: Andy’s writing process Why to avoid self-based characters How to write a flawed character that is still likeable How to balance plot depth and character depth When to write a short story vs. a longform piece Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Andy Weir - https://www.andyweirauthor.com/ Project Hail Mary - https://mybook.to/ProjectHailMary Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music by Nicorus - <a href="https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-du
Mon, May 03, 2021
Writing in Different Mediums with the NY Times Bestselling author of YOU, Caroline Kepnes
Bestseller Caroline Kepnes is no stranger to writing in different mediums. Along with being an author, she uses her past experiences as a screenwriter and entertainment reporter to write intriguing stories while meeting deadlines and allowing herself to be less critical of her work. Caroline is well known for thrillers like Hidden Bodies and You , the latter of which was adapted for television, and for working as a writer on shows like 7th Heaven and The Secret Life of the American Teenager . Her latest publication, You Love Me , is available now. From Amazon.com: Caroline Kepnes is the author of YOU, HIDDEN BODIES and PROVIDENCE. The hit Netflix series You is an adaptation of her debut novel. The upcoming second is based on her sequel HIDDEN BODIES. After graduating from Brown University, Caroline continued writing short stories (on her computer, sorry typewriter) while embarking on a career in pop culture journalism first at Tiger Beat, then at Entertainment Weekly. She also worked as a TV writer on 7th Heaven and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. 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: What Stephen King said about You How to characterize a serial killer When to write in 2nd person How to be less precious with your words The differences between writing and screenwriting Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Caroline Kepnes - https://www.carolinekepnes.com/ You Love Me - https://mybook.to/YouLoveMe Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/ Music by Nicorus - <a h
Tue, April 27, 2021
Writing Spontaneously with the #1 NY Times creator of Jack Reacher, Lee Child
Bestseller Lee Child preaches the idea of writing spontaneously. By rejecting traditional outlining and instead drawing on decades of reading experience to write in the moment, he creates stories that feel free-flowing and realistic. Lee is an accomplished thriller writer known for his bestselling Jack Reacher series, following a retired serviceman as he accepts strange jobs across the country. His latest publication, How to Write a Mystery , which he edited with Laurie R. King for the Mystery Writers of America, is available today. From Amazon.com: Lee Child is one of the world's leading thriller writers. He was born in Coventry, raised in Birmingham, and now lives in New York. It is said one of his novels featuring his hero Jack Reacher is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. His books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. Two blockbusting Jack Reacher movies have been made so far. He is the recipient of many awards, most recently Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards. He was appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours. 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: The origins of How to Write a Mystery The importance of reading before you write How to trust your own brain Why it’s natural to steal ideas How to incorporate real, organic feelings into your writing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Lee Child - https://www.jackreacher.com/us/authors/ Mystery Writers of America - https://mysterywriters.org/ How to Write a Mystery - https://mybook.to/HowToWriteAMystery Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summ
Mon, April 26, 2021
Question and Answer Episode - April 2021
In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. 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. Join us on Patreon and ask your question LIVE on the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/writersinkpodcast Questions asked: I've heard conflicting pieces of advice: to write the books you would like to read but aren't out there yet, and then on the flip side, if a book isn't out there, that means no one wants to read it. What are your opinions? If there isn't any books in a particular genre or sub-genre is it because no one wants them or simply because no one has written the books yet? For fun: if you were stuck on a deserted island and could take the catalog of one musical artist with you, who would it be? When COVID restrictions lift, what are your personal and professional plans for travel, events, activities, etc? Is there any value in trade reviews or awards? Are any of you going to try kindle vella? I think I calculated it to pay 4 cents per 1000 words read which isn't horrible. Though ezines and anthologies pay 1000 times that. Do you have a set budget per book or series for advertising? If you wrote a one-off book that you thought was very good; how would you decide whether to go trad or self-publish? Assume immediate earnings was not an issue and you think it might sell well. I'd be interested to hear J D's view also, as I believe he is a hybrid. How does he make that kind of decision? Are there any popular novels written that mix first person and third person? Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritin
Mon, April 19, 2021
Rethinking the Writing Process with NY Times Bestselling author, Robert Dugoni
Bestselling author Robert Dugoni has no problem veering from the beaten path when it comes to the writing process. From writing important scenes out of order to drafting a 400-word outline, he’s shown that authors can be efficient and successful while writing in the way most comfortable to them. Robert is well known for his thrilling storytelling of detective work and espionage, including his critically acclaimed Tracy Crosswhite series. His latest publication, In Her Tracks , is available tomorrow. From Amazon.com: Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police detective series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 7 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, and the David Sloane legal thriller 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 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 Robert takes inspiration from his son Why your first draft is really your outline The importance of exercise for creativity A cool way to avoid writer’s block Why to write what you want to read Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Robert Dugoni - https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/ In Her Tracks - https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/in-her-tracks Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 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 a
Mon, April 12, 2021
Navigating New Genres with former CIA spook turned author, Alma Katsu
Returning guest Alma Katsu has recently gained valuable insight into navigating new genres. With the release of her new spy novel, Red Widow , she’s learned how to grab the interest of her existing horror readers, change her marketing approach to attract readers in a new genre, and write something different and true-to-life while keeping it dramatic. 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. To check out Red Widow , follow the link below. 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: Why writing Red Widow was a little risky Why it’s hard to write fiction about something you know a lot about The business aspect of switching genres Why virtual events aren’t as popular as they used to be The importance of social media advertising Links: In Computero: Hear How AI Software Wrote a ‘New’ Nirvana Song - https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/nirvana-kurt-cobain-ai-song-1146444/ J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Alma Katsu - https://www.almakatsubooks.com/ Red Widow - https://mybook.to/RedWidow Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 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 - <a href="http://www.nhpr.c
Mon, April 05, 2021
The Power of Personal Branding with Jeniffer Thompson
Authorpreneur Jeniffer Thompson knows how to harness the power of personal branding. Through various books and speaking events, she teaches authors around the world how to find their voice, attract their desired readers, create a sustainable online presence, and ultimately find success while being authentic. Jeniffer is well known for running Jeniffer Thompson Consulting and Monkey C Media, both consulting firms that help authors through the publishing process. Her latest publication, How to Write a Professional Bio: For Authors, Speakers, and Entrepreneurs , is available below. 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 Jeniffer started Monkey C Media How to find your voice The importance of balancing authority, personal style, and online visibility Why you should take inspiration from successful authors The other side of budgeting Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Jeniffer Thompson - https://jenifferthompson.com/ Monkey C Media - https://monkeycmedia.com/ How to Write a Professional Bio by Jeniffer Thompson - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081J8MW89/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0 Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfic Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ 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 - <a href="http://www.millpondstu
Mon, March 29, 2021
Why You Need a Mailing List
In this episode, J, J.D., and Zach talk about why every author needs a mailing list and how to build one from scratch, maintain expectations, and continuously acquire new 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 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: JD’s new ghost project Methods to build your list Why to set up expectations for your list The differences between fiction and non-fiction lists Why to limit CTAs when acquiring new readers Links: Google Play Books Announcement Google Play Books has redesigned our promotional pricing tool, which allows publishers to change the list price of their book for a specified date range. Publishers are no longer required to upload a spreadsheet to activate a promotional price. Instead, publishers can easily create a new campaign in their Promotions tab by selecting the promotion’s date range, titles, and prices. For a step-by-step guide to promotional pricing, visit g.co/play/promopricing. When a publisher discounts their book on Google Play Books, the book becomes eligible for additional in-store merchandising and customer notifications. This doesn’t mean that every book will receive every promotion, but this discount significantly increases the book’s likelihood of receiving more promotion in the storefront. These discount promotions are driven by our algorithm and can include: Appearance in a collection highlighting discounted titles, including relevant genre collections Targeted in-app notifications and emails to customers that have wishlisted or sampled that title As a reminder, Google Play Books recently launched another marketing tool for publishers: promo code campaigns. Promo code campaigns can be used to offer select customers a discounted book without lowering the book’s list price. After creating a promo code campaign, publishers can easily share the deal via a link to the Play Store, where customers can redeem the discounted book offer. Both promotional pricing and promo code campaigns can be used to offer discounts to customers in 75+ countries. To get started, publishers can visit the Partner Center and go to the Promotions tab. Tell J.D. your ghost story - https://jdbarker.com/haunted/ J. D. Barke
Mon, March 22, 2021
Keeping Bram Stoker Alive with Dacre Stoker
Dacre Stoker is committed to keeping his great great-uncle’s work alive and relevant. By writing Dracul , a prequel to Dracula , with JD, reproducing Bram’s first-edition classics, and adapting his little-known short stories into graphic novels, he has expanded the Bram Stoker universe to a generation of new readers by retelling old stories in a new and exciting way. Dacre is an international bestselling author who is well known for works like Dracula the Un-Dead and The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker and for offering extensive Transylvania tours that help uncover the real geography referenced in Bram’s writing. To learn more about Dacre’s work, visit the links below. From DacreStoker.com: Dacre Stoker is the great grand-nephew of Bram Stoker and the international best-selling co-author of Dracula the Un-Dead (Dutton, 2009), the official Stoker family endorsed sequel to Dracula . Dacre is also the co-editor (with Elizabeth Miller) of The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker: The Dublin Years (Robson Press, 2012). His latest novel, Dracul, a prequel to D racula , released in October 2018 co-authored with JD Barker, has been sold to Putnam in North America, Penguin Random House in the UK, and additional publishers in France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Brazil, Serbia, Taiwan, Turkey, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Poland with film rights purchased by Paramount Studios. 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, Jim 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: Dacre’s experience writing with JD How to co-write when you don’t share a writing process The importance of real or believable geography How to blend the real world with the supernatural Why you should explore alternate storytelling opportunities Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Dacre Stoker - http://dacrestoker.com/ Dracul - https://mybook.to/Dracul Back Dacre’s Reproduction Project - <a href="https://www.kicks
Mon, March 15, 2021
Writing an Extended Series with #1 NY Times Bestselling author C.J. Box
With twenty-one Joe Pickett books under his belt, New York Times bestseller C.J. Box knows how to write an extended series. By maintaining previous worlds and characters that fans love, creating new and innovative storylines, and gaining exposure through advertisements and book tours, he keeps readers coming back for every book. C.J. is the #1 bestseller of more than thirty novels, including two wildly successful series, Joe Pickett and Cassie Dewell, the latter of which was adapted into “Big Sky” by David E. Kelley. To order his most recent publication, Dark Sky , follow the link below. From Amazon.com: C. J. Box is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over twenty-two novels including the Joe Pickett series. He won the Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Novel (Blue Heaven, 2009) as well as the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Award (twice), the Western Heritage Award for Literature, and 2017 Spur Award for Best Contemporary Western. The novels have been translated into 27 languages. Open Season, Blue Heaven, Nowhere To Run, and The Highway have been optioned for film and television. Millions of copies of his novels have been sold in the U.S. alone. 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: What to do if you’re stuck in rural Wyoming What not to post on social media The pros and cons of writing a series vs. a standalone The importance of background research Why you shouldn’t write for TV/film What Stephen King said about “Big Sky” Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ C.J. Box - https://www.cjbox.net/ Dark Sky - https://mybook.to/DarkSky “Big Sky” - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11794642/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfict Rubric - http://nonficrubric.com
Mon, March 08, 2021
From Book to Screen with THE UNDOING author, Jean Hanff Korelitz
Jean Hanff Korelitz knows how to take a story from book to screen. By both working closely with producers but also understanding that adapted stories will be inherently different, she has learned to give up a level of creative control in order to create a show or film that is just as good as the book. Jean has published six novels since she entered the industry in 1996, two of which garnered considerable attention from screenwriters: Admission (2009) was adapted for a film starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd and You Should Have Known (2014) was adapted for a limited series on HBO by David E. Kelley. She even personally adapted James Joyce’s The Dead, 1904 into a theatrical production. Her most recent novel, The Plot , is available for preorder now. From Amazon.com: Jean Hanff Korelitz is the author of the novels YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN (adapted for HBO as "The Undoing" by David E. Kelley, and starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland), ADMISSION (adapted as the 2013 film starring Tina Fey), THE DEVIL AND WEBSTER, THE WHITE ROSE, THE SABBATHDAY RIVER and A JURY OF HER PEERS. A new novel, THE PLOT, will be published on May 11th 2021. Her company BOOKTHEWRITER hosts "Pop-Up Book Groups" in NYC, where small groups of readers can discuss new books with their authors. www.bookthewriter.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: The worst film Jean has ever seen How she grew comfortable with film adaptations The risks of adapting your own work Why writers are “never safe” Marketing techniques for new books Why the pandemic has been a good time for publishing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Jean Hanff Korelitz - https://www.jeanhanffkorelitz.com/ Admission - https://mybook.to/Admission The Plot - https://mybook.to/ThePlotBook Story Rubric - http:/
Mon, March 01, 2021
Thinking Beyond Books
In this episode, J, J.D., and Zach discuss the advantages of using different mediums, such as TV, film, video games, and comics, to tell stories and how authors should approach these different modes of storytelling. 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: Why J.D. needs a heated driveway How to avoid tunnel visioning a final product Advice for writing budget-friendly stories If authors should focus on screenwriting Why streaming services are looking for original content Why video games are the new storytelling frontier Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfict Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, February 22, 2021
"The Little Things" with writer/director John Lee Hancock
John Lee Hancock’s recent film, “The Little Things,” brings to life many key aspects of viewer engagement and character development that translate from the cinema to the page. Through excellently written mystery and complex, relatable characters, he hooks viewers early on and keeps them on their toes throughout the movie. Hancock is an accomplished screenwriter, director, and producer who is well known for his role in films like “My Dog Skip,” “The Alamo,” and “The Highwaymen.” To get tickets to “The Little Things,” follow the link below. From RottenTomatoes.com: The "feel good movie" may never have had a bigger proponent than John Lee Hancock. As a writer, director, and producer of high profile feature films, Hancock introduced his earnest and often sentimental sensibilities to sports movies like "The Rookie" (2002) and "The Blind Side" (2009), show business pictures like "Saving Mr. Banks" (2013), and the occasional fairy tale jaunt, including "Maleficent" (2014). Achieving big numbers at the box office and awards recognition in the process, Hancock established himself over the course of his decades in the filmmaking game as a reliable perpetrator of crowd-pleasing entertainment. Although intermittent attempts at darker and more severe material proved substantially less fortuitous, Hancock powered through these missteps to become a veritable fixture in the family-directed film community. 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: What Hancock’s writing process looks like How “The Little Things” was influenced by the times Why Hancock avoided making the film contemporary Why the existential third act is so important How to break free from conventional genres The pros and cons of certain creative decisions Links: Complete the listener survey by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 28, 2021 and win a chance for a private one-on-one consultation with J. D. Barker! - https://forms.gle/CZ6HBP5Kyy1pm2YZ9 J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ John Lee Hancock - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0359387/</a
Mon, February 15, 2021
Greenlights with Academy Award winning actor turned author, Matthew McConaughey
In his recent memoir, Greenlights , legendary actor Matthew McConaughey recounts the last fifty years of his life through gripping storytelling, offering advice that transcends all to focus on the rules of life itself. Whether you are a writer or not, you need to own your work, be arrogant before you can appreciate being humbled, and that the uncertainty of losing a safety net only makes it easier to embrace your actions and responsibilities. McConaughey is an Academy Award-winning actor and producer who first became popular for his breakout role in the 1993 comedy Dazed and Confused and has since starred in countless successful movies including Dallas Buyers Club , Interstellar , and The Gentlemen . To purchase his excellent new memoir, follow the link below. From Amazon.com: Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey is a married man, a father of three children, and a loyal son and brother. He considers himself a storyteller by occupation, believes it's okay to have a beer on the way to the temple, feels better with a day's sweat on him, and is an aspiring orchestral conductor. 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: The last time Matthew McConaughey was knocked out by a sleeping cow Why he needed courage to write Greenlights How to choose the best POV for the messages you want to convey Why you should be less impressed, more involved The importance of making sacrifices Links: Complete the listener survey by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 28, 2021 and win a chance for a private one-on-one consultation with J. D. Barker! - https://forms.gle/CZ6HBP5Kyy1pm2YZ9 J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Matthew McConaughey on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/3d8mv30 Greenlights - https://books2read.com/greenlights Findaway Voices February Promo - https://love.findawayvoices.com/ Story Rubric - http://sto
Mon, February 08, 2021
Writing Where You’ve Been with Ann Charles
Bestseller Ann Charles knows how useful it can be to set your story in places from your life. Having spent many long summers in the old mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota in her youth, her childhood memories of riding dirt bikes through old trails, hanging out at the library, and talking to locals made it easy to bring the town to life in her Deadwood series. Alongside the massively popular series, on which a TV show and movie were based, Ann is well-known for her Jackrabbit Junction and Deadwood Undertaker series, all three of which feature her knack for writing mysterious Westerns. Her latest publication, Catawampus Christmas Carol , is available below. From Amazon.com: Ann Charles is a USA Today Best-Selling author who writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance, and whatever else sounds fun. Ann has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and a book in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cat. Most nights, you can find her hanging out over at www.anncharles.com, on Facebook as Ann Charles, or as AnnWCharles on Twitter. 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: What Ann misses most from the Kindle Golden Age The power of experimenting as a writer The importance of outlining plot When to batch your writing projects Why historical pieces need to be accurate Links: Complete the listener survey by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 28, 2021 and win a chance for a private one-on-one consultation with J. D. Barker! - https://forms.gle/CZ6HBP5Kyy1pm2YZ9 J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Ann Charles - http://anncharles.com/ Deadwood by Ann Charles - <a href="http:/
Mon, February 01, 2021
Retelling True Stories with Concert Promoter Danny Zelisko
Legendary concert promoter Danny Zelisko gained experience putting old memories to paper while writing his autobiography, ALL EXCE$$ . By working with a ghost writer, orating stories to close friends, and diligently ordering everything chronologically, he was able to make his old stories super detailed and easy to follow. Danny has promoted over 12,000 shows over his 44 years in the business and has worked with music icons like The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Axl Rose, and Carlos Santana, to name a few. To read about his experiences promoting during the Golden Age of concerts, purchase ALL EXCE$$ below. From Amazon.com: ALL EXCESS: OCCUPATION - CONCERT PROMOTER is the story about growing up in a Chicago suburb in the 50s and 60s, with his large family. Thru good fortune to have met many of the sports stars in Chicago in that era, he then parlayed his ability to form bonds with some of the biggest athletes on Earth into becoming a concert promoter. Different uniforms, different types of events in almost every way, except one. Both sports and music events are basically the same because it's about putting butts in seats to enjoy their favourite team or singer or band . With a different type of show they each put on, no 2 games or concerts are ever the same - hitting the ball well or singing that big note in a song that sends the audience to their feet. Meanwhile, Danny thought this to be the best time to write about all the stars and building his business from scratch into a great career as a concert promoter, while sharing over 700 pictures from his vast memorabilia collection. ALL EXCE$$ takes you on a fun journey from growing up in Chicago to moving out west to discover gold as a concert promoter. 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: Why Danny turned down an offer from Bill Graham How to work with a ghost writer Why to record phone calls with your friends How to write that first page Why you shouldn’t force yourself to write Links: Complete the listener survey by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 28, 2021 and win a chance for a private one-on-one consultation with J. D. Barker! - https://forms.gle/CZ6HBP5Kyy1pm2YZ9 J. D. Barker - <a
Mon, January 25, 2021
A Manuscript Diagnostic Tool: Story Rubric and Nonfic Rubric
In this episode, J, J.D., and Zach talk about setting parameters for writing excellence using Story Rubric and Nonfic Rubric. 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: An update on Audiblegate Why Story Rubric is completely open-sourced How the rubric differs from the Three Story Method How to use Story Rubric to edit your own manuscript The importance of unifying language among authors Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/ Story Rubric - http://storyrubric.com Nonfict Rubric - http://nonficrubric.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, January 18, 2021
Taking Risks to Pursue Your Dreams with #1 NY Times bestseller, Lisa Gardner
Lisa Gardner is no stranger to taking calculated risks as a writer. From leaving high-paying jobs to constantly letting go of agents and switching publishers, she has always lived by the phrase: “If you really want to write, you’re going to write." Lisa is a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author who has sold millions of books worldwide. Among many outstanding works, she is well known for her debut novel, The Perfect Husband, a twisted story of love and suspense. Her latest publication, Before She Disappeared, is available tomorrow. From Amazon.com: New York Times #1 bestselling crime novelist Lisa Gardner began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure, criminal minds and twisted plots into a streak of bestselling suspense novels. Her 2010 novel, THE NEIGHBOR, won Best Thriller from the International Thriller Writers. Most recently, she was honored with the Silver Bullet Award for her work with at-risk kids and homeless animals. Lisa loves to hike, travel the world, and yes, read, read, read! 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 to kill a friend and maim a buddy -Why Lisa gets inspired by true stories -Why writing is a personality, not an art -The differences between calculated risks and impulsiveness -How to find your unique writing process Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Lisa Gardner - https://www.lisagardner.com/ The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner - https://mybook.to/PerfectHusband Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner - https://mybook.to/SheDisappeared 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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links a
Mon, January 11, 2021
The Benefits of Writing in the Morning with H.M. Gooden
As a mother of small children and a vivid lucid dreamer, H.M. Gooden needs to wake up early. Regardless, she knows early writing can be beneficial to many because morning-writers tend to self-edit less, their dreams and ideas are still fresh, and they can easily dictate while brewing coffee or making a commute. H.M. published her first book, Dream of Darkness , in 2017 and has published almost twenty more stories since. Her upcoming novel, A Destiny Found , releases later this month. From Amazon.com: In October of 2017, her love of writing and the characters in the world she created burst into public view in her first book, Dream of Darkness, which follows the adventures of a group of girls fighting evil with abilities that H. M. Gooden would love to have. When not writing fantasy, H. M. Gooden writes non-fiction pieces exploring the emotions and situations that arise in her day job as a rural family doc. As a result, 4 am has never been busier, but she wouldn't have it any other way. 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 H.M. uses recurring dreams in her stories Why urban fantasy is becoming so popular How to define what genre you’re in The importance of learning from your readers How dictating can help flesh out ideas Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ H.M. Gooden - https://www.hmgoodenauthor.com/ Dream of Darkness by H.M. Gooden - https://mybook.to/DreamDarkness A Destiny Found by H.M. Gooden - https://mybook.to/DestinyFound 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 - <a href="http://www.millpo
Mon, January 04, 2021
Overlooked Marketing Tips with International Thriller Writers’ Jeff Ayers
ThrillerFest Co-Executive Director Jeff Ayers is dedicated to exposing authors to useful but commonly avoided marketing techniques. Through ThrillerFest, Jeff and others like him teach underappreciated skills like pitching a book to an agent, writing a query letter, and reflecting on edits and feedback. Jeff is an accomplished author who has published both fiction and non-fiction works. He is well known for his Star Trek companion, Voyages of Imagination , writing book reviews under The Associated Press, and for his contributions to the International Thriller Writers. To contact Jeff, write to jeffayersauthor@gmail.com . Guest Bio: Jeff Ayers is the author of several works of fiction and non-fiction, including Voyages of Imagination: The Star Trek Fiction Companion, in which he covered over 550 novels and interviewed 350 authors to cover the history of the Star Trek publishing landscape. He wrote the upcoming Sigma Guide for author James Rollins and his agent is currently shopping to various publishers a mystery, a conspiracy thriller, and a non-fiction project. He is a freelance book reviewer for The Associated Press, a retired public research librarian, and the Co-Executive Director of Thrillerfest for the International Thriller Writers. He co-hosts a podcast with John Raab of Suspense Magazine called Beyond the Cover, and earlier this month produced the Night of a Thousand Authors for the Atria Mystery Bus. 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 Jeff became an author Why you need to know how to pitch a story Other marketing tips that most writers forget about How to learn new skills through the ITW If ThrillerFest will happen in 2021 Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Runes, Ravens, & Revenants (J.’s 2021 short story experiment). Offer expires on January 8, 2021 - https://jthorn.net/2021shortstories/ Jeff Ayers - jeffayersauthor@gmail.com Voyages of Imagination: The Star Trek Fiction Companion by Jeff Aye
Mon, December 28, 2020
2020 Review and State of the Industry
In this episode, Zach returns alongside J and J.D. to recap 2020 and discuss how such a chaotic year has affected the writing industry. 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: Why things won’t go back to normal in 2021 Why authors have been less impacted by COVID-19 How COVID has changed the traditional publishing process What would happen if Facebook ads disappeared How AI could challenge human creativity Why “mainstream” might become irrelevant Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, December 21, 2020
Finding Successful Routines and Understanding LLCs with Attorney Jonathan Kirsch
Author and attorney Jonathan Kirsch is a master of many trades. As a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and bestseller of many biographies and historical pieces, he utilizes a disciplined writing routine to create the best stories possible. When he isn’t writing, Jonathan works as an attorney and member of the Independent Book Publishers Association. With over thirty years of experience in the field, he understands the importance of an LLC to an independent author better than anyone else and offers a wealth of meaningful business advice during this episode. To learn more about Kirsch, follow the links below. From JonathanKirsch.com: Jonathan Kirsch’s latest book is The Short, Strange Life of Herschel Grynszpan: A Boy Avenger, a Nazi Diplomat and a Murder in Paris (W. W. Norton/Liveright). “A lively and suspenseful tale,” according to Publishers Weekly. “Kirsch has eloquently provided a dramatic real-life mystery with broad appeal,” writes Mark Levine in Booklist. “It’s a remarkable story Kirsch tells here, deeply researched and compelling drawn,” writes Scott Martelle in the Washington Post. And Michael Berenbaum writes in The Jewish Journal: “Kirsch tells a powerful story with the skill of a novelist and the precision of a historian.” 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: Why to force yourself to write 200 words a day When to consider making an LLC How an LLC protects personal assets Why you need to keep track of business expenses Why you should license your work to yourself Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Jonathan Kirsch - http://www.jonathankirsch.com/ Law Offices of Jonathan Kirsch - http://www.jonathankirsch.com/law.html The Short, Strange Life of Herschel Grynszpan by Jonathan Kirsch - https://mybook.to/herschel Speak Up For Small Business! - https://www.facebook.com/business/apple-ios-14-speak-up-for-small-business 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://w
Mon, December 14, 2020
How to Make It as a Solopreneur with Eddie Generous
Solopreneur Eddie Generous has no problem finding success on his own. Using discipline, self-motivation, and market sense, he has grown substantially as a publisher, podcaster, and author. Eddie is the creator of Unnerving Magazine , which filters through hundreds of open submissions to bring the best spine-chilling horror back to the masses. He also runs a podcast bearing the same name and has published multiple books, including Savage Beasts of the Arctic Circle and Plantation Pan . His latest publication, Dusk , is available below. From Amazon.com: Eddie Generous is an author of Savage Beasts of the Arctic Circle, RAWR, Trouble at Camp Still Waters, Great Big Teeth, and Radio Run (all from Severed Press), Plantation Pan (from Omnium Gatherum), and several collections. He is the founder/editor/publisher/artist behind Unnerving and Unnerving Magazine, and the host of the Unnerving Podcast. He lives on the Pacific Coast of Canada with his wife and their cat overlords. 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 Eddie persisted through countless early failures How to start a magazine Why “quiet horror” needs to go Why short stories sell less these days The importance of a story’s first sentence Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Eddie Generous - https://www.jiffypopandhorror.com/ Unnerving Magazine - https://www.unnervingbooks.com/ Dusk by Eddie Generous - https://mybook.to/dusk/ 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
Mon, December 07, 2020
Creating Professional Covers and Ads on BookBrush with Kathleen Sweeney
Kathleen Sweeney has helped authors create professional covers and ads on BookBrush for the past two years. One of the most innovative new author tools, BookBrush features easy-to-design standard covers, instant mockups, box set covers, 3D covers, and even animated covers. As the Customer Service Manager and Marketing Lead at BookBrush, Kathleen hosts frequent information sessions and works closely with authors to help them create the best cover or ad possible. To learn more about BookBrush or Kathleen, visit bookbrush.com. From BookBrush.com: Kathleen loves creating images. She brings over 17 years of client service experience, business assurance, strategy and problem solving to Book Brush. She is happy to help! 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 BookBrush was created Why Kathleen decided to join the team Why BookBrush is so effective and easy-to-use How to animate your cover design The importance of the “20%” advertisement rule Why your ad needs bold colors Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Kathleen Sweeney - kathleensweeney@authorreachmedia.com BookBrush - https://bookbrush.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Mon, November 30, 2020
The Thinning Line Between Indie and Traditional Publishing
In this episode, J. and J.D. welcome indie mastermind Zach Bohannon to the show to discuss the growing similarities between indie and traditional publishing. 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: What’s the deal with Audiblegate? The benefits of being a “hybrid” author Why traditional publishers are starting to value eBooks Why indies are becoming more tolerant of traditional deals The importance of a mailing list when pursuing a trad deal The role of subscription-based services in the future of publishing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Tue, November 24, 2020
#audiblegate with Susan May
SPECIAL EPISODE: J.D. and J. are live with author Susan May to discuss #audiblegate, a breaking news story about the ongoing controversy surrounding Audible’s audio book return policy. The Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/fairdealwithaudible Susan May’s blog post - https://www.susanmaywriter.net/single-post/audiblegate-the-incredible-story-of-missing-sales From the Authors Guild - https://www.authorsguild.org/industry-advocacy/sign-our-letter-and-tell-audible-to-stop-charging-authors-for-returns/ From the Alliance of Independent Authors - https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/media-releases/ Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Mon, November 23, 2020
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
Mon, November 16, 2020
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 -
Mon, November 09, 2020
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
Mon, November 02, 2020
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 - <a href="https://mybook.to/t
Mon, October 26, 2020
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 - <a href="https://writerswin.com/kiffer-brown/" rel="noopener noreferrer" t
Mon, October 19, 2020
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/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - <a href="https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="
Mon, October 12, 2020
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’
Mon, October 05, 2020
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 <em
Mon, September 28, 2020
The Advantages of Co-Writing with NY Times bestseller, 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/forbid
Mon, September 21, 2020
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 - <a href="http://mybook.to/SaveTheCatWrites" rel="noopener no
Mon, September 14, 2020
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 - <a href="https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep" rel="noopener no
Mon, September 07, 2020
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 <
Mon, August 31, 2020
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 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083H3SDQT/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0" rel="noope
Mon, August 24, 2020
Immersing Yourself in Your Story with #1 NY Times bestseller, 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 - <a href="https:/
Mon, August 17, 2020
The Benefits of Drafting on Paper with NY Times bestseller, 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/wp-content/uploads/dumpster.jpg KENP Read for KU Royalty Calculator - <a href="https://publishwide.com/kenp-royalty-calculator
Mon, August 10, 2020
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 - <a href="https://books2read.com/TheFreedomBrok
Mon, August 03, 2020
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 J
Mon, July 27, 2020
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 - <a href="https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep" rel="noopener noreferrer" target=
Mon, July 20, 2020
The Science of Pen Names with NY Times bestseller, 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://books2rea
Mon, July 13, 2020
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://conseq
Mon, July 06, 2020
Dreaming and Writing with the President of the H.W.A., John Palisano
John Palisano is a master of using dreams to write. Ever since his childhood, he has struggled with frequent and vivid nightmares. However, by preserving his dreams through notes or sketches, John incorporates their wacky contents into his scenes and plot points to create thrilling and unique stories. Palisano is an accomplished horror author and president of the Horror Writers Association. He was awarded the Bram Stoker Award in 2016 and is well known for Nerves and Dust of the Dead , two sci-fi horror novels with unique twists. His latest publication, All That Withers , is available now. From Amazon.com: Bram Stoker Award® winner John Palisano's short fiction has appeared in many places. Check out: Dark Discoveries, Horror Library, Darkness On The Edge, Lovecraft eZine, Phobophobias, Terror Tales, Harvest Hill, Halloween Spirits, Chiral Mad, Midnight Walk, Halloween Tales, and many other publications. John's had a colorful history. He began writing at an early age, with his first publications in college fanzines and newspapers at Emerson in Boston. He's worked for over a decade in Hollywood for people like Ridley Scott and Marcus Nispel. He's recently been working as a ghost-screenwriter and has seen much success with over two dozen short story sales and his novels and short fiction continue gaining critical and reader acclaim. 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 effectively record dreams How to employ dreams in your writing How to write while on-the-go The importance of knowing your characters The rise of elevated horror Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ John Palisano - https://johnpalisano.wordpress.com/ All That Withers by John Palisano - https://books2read.com/AllThatWithers Nerves by John Palisano - <a href="https://books2read
Mon, June 29, 2020
Marketing on Amazon with Dave Chesson
Through dissecting the website's algorithms, understanding the relationship between keywords and sales, and applying an entrepreneurial mindset, master coder Dave Chesson has gained a solid understanding of how to market a book on Amazon. Chesson is the mastermind behind Kindlepreneur, an online blog and podcast that shares his extensive marketing knowledge with authors around the world. He is also the creator of Rocket, a self-publishing software that provides authors with useful analytics and keyword suggestions for their books. Links to Kindlepreneur and Rocket can be found below. From Kindlepreneur.com: When I’m not lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, or sipping tea with princesses, I’m testing new book marketing tactics, and helping authors improve their book sales. I'm also the creator of Publisher Rocket, a software that helps authors see what's really going on in the Kindle marketing, and thus pick better keywords and categories to help them sell more books. I’ve worked with multiple New York Times bestselling authors like Ted Dekker and the marketing team behind L.Ron Hubbard, as well as top writers like Pat Flynn and Jeff Goins. To help all writers learn the art of book marketing, I created Kindlepreneur as a free source for authors with the sole goal of giving you everything you need to take action, and see results. 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 require effort to maintain Why keywords matter When to use a subtitle How to understand the buyer’s process The importance of making consistent sales over time Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Dave Chesson - https://kindlepreneur.com/who-is-dave-chesson/ Kindlepreneur - https://kindlepreneur.com/ Rocket - https://publisherrocket.com/<
Mon, June 22, 2020
The Secrets to Writing Nonfiction with Honorée Corder
Honorée Corder is a master of nonfiction writing who has shown that, through structuring writing time, conducting in-person research, gaining experience co-writing and managing projects, and making connections across different industries, writing in the genre can serve as a profitable and sustainable career choice. Corder is an established author with over fifty books released and over four million sales worldwide. She is most known for her Miracle Morning and Successful Single Mom series, which discuss proper morning routines and give advice to struggling single moms. Her most recent publication, You MUST Write a Book , is available now. From Amazon.com: Honorée Corder is the author of dozens of books including Stop Trying So F*cking Hard, You Must Write a Book, The Prosperous Writer's, Like a Boss, and Successful Single Mom series, Vision to Reality, Business Dating, and more. She is Hal Elrod's business partner and co-creator of The Miracle Morning book series. Her You Must Write a Book LIVE Coaching Course is a fan favorite. She does all sorts of other magical things, and her badassery is legendary. Find out more about her at http://www.HonoreeCorder.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: Why to structure writing time Why writer’s block doesn’t exist How nonfiction supplements speaking careers, etc. Why setting a word goal is distracting The importance of mastering a craft Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Honorée Corder - https://honoreecorder.com/ The Miracle Morning for Teachers by Hal Elrod and Honorée Corder - https://books2read.com/MiracleMorning The Successful Single Mom Series by Honorée Corder - https://books2read.com/SuccessfulSingleMom <e
Mon, June 15, 2020
Finding Time to Write with Tim Ryan
Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan has proven that, no matter how hectic life can get, anyone can find time to write. As a hard-working, travel-inclined politician and father of three, his schedule is always full. However, by taking short writing retreats and working out a chapter or two over the course of three or four days, he has managed to publish two books and has plans for a third one. Congressman Ryan has served in the House of Representatives for seventeen years and, while he certainly has a love for politics, Healing America and The Real Food Revolution shine light on two of his personal interests: meditation and healthy eating. When he is not working or writing, Tim spends time with his family at their home in Howland, Ohio. From Amazon.com: Tim Ryan was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, at the age of 29, and is currently serving in his fifth term representing Ohio's 17th Congressional District. He maintains a strong commitment to the economic and social well-being of his constituents in northeast Ohio. He serves as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, as well as its Subcommittees on Readiness and on Emerging Threats and Capabilities. He also serves as a member of the House Budget Committee and co-chairman of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus. 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 health and wellness The negative impacts of stress and poor diets How Ryan discovered meditation How to schedule a personal writing retreat How to document ideas during non-writing time Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Tim Ryan - https://timryan.house.gov/ Healing America by Tim Ryan - https://books2read.com/HealingAmerica The Real Food Revolution by Tim Ryan - <a href="https://books2read.com/RealFoodRev" rel="noopener norefe
Mon, June 08, 2020
Maximizing Your Reach as an Indie Author with Lindsay Buroker
Lindsay Buroker knows how to maximize her reach as an indie author. By writing under multiple pen names across multiple genres, following a rapid release model to generate interest, and running a podcast to help uphold her brand, she continues to expand her audience and influence across the writing landscape. Buroker is a full-time independent author who focuses primarily on the genres of science fiction and fantasy. Among her impressive number of successful series are Death Before Dragons , Dragon Blood , and Star Kingdom . She is also known for co-hosting Six Figure Authors, a podcast dedicated to providing writers with tactical knowledge to help improve their careers. Lindsay’s latest release, Elven Doom , is available now. From Amazon.com: Lindsay is a full-time independent fantasy and science fiction author who loves travel, hiking, tennis, and vizslas. She's written over sixty novels, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list, and has been twice nominated for a Goodreads Readers' Choice Award. She grew up in the Seattle area but has itchy feet and moves every couple of years. She's currently living in Bend, Oregon, and working on the next book. 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 rapid release model When to commit to a genre When to use a pen name How to approach cowriting How to structure a day of writing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Lindsay Buroker - https://lindsayburoker.com/ Elven Doom by Lindsay Buroker - https://books2read.com/ElvenDoom Six Figure Authors Podcast - https://6figureauthors.com/ Supercharge Your Scene - http://superchargeyourscene.com <b
Mon, June 01, 2020
Write What You Know with James Blatch
First-time author James Blatch is already a perfect example of the “write what you know” mentality. While drafting his debut novel, The Last Flight , he has employed his genuine love of aircraft and his father’s personal experiences as a pilot to create both a story that feels authentically him and a brand that will undoubtedly lead him to success. Blatch is currently a director of the Self Publishing Formula, an online course for aspiring authors. He also co-hosts the SPF Podcast with Mark Dawson. James’ debut novel will be available this year. From JamesBlatch.com: James Blatch is a former BBC Defence Reporter and a former BBFC Film Examiner. He reported for the BBC on the UK military from, among other places, HMS Invincible (Operation Desert Fox build up), Kuwait (Ali Al Salem allied air base), the Arctic Circle as well as covering the UK air offensive during the Kosovo Conflict in 1999... Blatch is a director of the Self Publishing Formula Limited, an online course provider for independent authors. He co-hosts the weekly SPF Podcast. 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 authentically The importance of branding Why to have several people edit a draft How to bring in extra revenue as a podcaster How the industry is shifting from traditional to indie publishing Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ James Blatch - https://www.jamesblatch.com/ The Last Flight by James Blatch - https://www.jamesblatch.com/books Supercharge Your Scene - http://superchargeyourscene.com Save Indie Bookstores - https://www.saveindiebookstores.com Music by Nicorus - <a href="https://cctrax.com/nicoru
Mon, May 25, 2020
Using StoryOrigin to Grow Your Platform with Evan Gow
Entrepreneur Evan Gow is the mastermind behind StoryOrigin. Fueled by a love of technology and writing, he created an all-in-one platform for authors to connect, team up for group promos, build and swap mailing lists, upload reader magnets, and more. With the unique opportunities StoryOrigin provides, Evan has helped thousands of authors get discovered, build communities, and become successful. StoryOrigin is currently in open beta and can be used for free at storyoriginapp.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: Why you need to use StoryOrigin How to build a writing community The importance of mailing swaps The importance of a reader magnet How to send out review copies Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Evan Gow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evangow/ StoryOrigin - https://storyoriginapp.com/ Supercharge Your Scene - http://superchargeyourscene.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/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - <a href="https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" tar
Mon, May 18, 2020
Pushing Your Writing Limits with Jon Land
Jon Land has been pushing his writing limits for years. By forcing himself to take ownership of his work, refusing to write what he knows, and giving every project his all, he has greatly expanded his writing skill set and has overcome the uncertainties of being an author to find success. Land is a bestselling author of over 50 books. He is most known for his Caitlin Strong series and for recently overtaking the Murder, She Wrote series, both of which have become iconic in the mystery-thriller genre. His most recent addition to the Murder, She Wrote series, The Murder of Twelve , will be available later this month. From Amazon.com: Since his first book was published in 1983, Jon Land has written twenty-eight novels, seventeen of which have appeared on national bestseller lists. He began writing technothrillers before Tom Clancy put them in vogue, and his strong prose, easy characterization, and commitment to technical accuracy have made him a pillar of the genre. 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 to have fun while writing Why to say yes to everything The importance of writing organizations to early authors Why all authors should be able to give an elevator pitch The importance of staying ambitious Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Jon Land - https://www.jonlandbooks.com/ The Murder of Twelve by Jon Land - https://www.amazon.com/Murder-She-Wrote-Twelve-Book-ebook/dp/B07X6S13Z5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=murder%2C+she+wrote&qid=1589650774&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 Strong from the Heart by Jon Land - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Heart-Caitlin-Novel-Novels-ebook/dp/B07WPNFP54/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" rel="noop
Mon, May 11, 2020
Educating Authors with Bryan Cohen
Bryan Cohen is well-trained in the art of educating authors. With his forward-focused approach to teaching and emphasis on keeping students motivated, he has helped thousands of new authors understand the ins and outs of writing. In addition to teaching, Cohen has published a series of novels and dozens of writing guides. His most popular book, How to Write a Sizzling Synopsis , contains the secrets to attracting new readers and making a book sound good. His latest offering, “Amazon Ad School,” is available below. From Amazon.com: Bryan Cohen is an author, a podcaster, and a coach. He's published over 40 books, which have been downloaded over half a million times. His books include How to Write a Sizzling Synopsis and five novels in The Viral Superhero Series. He's the co-host of The Sell More Books Show and the head writer at Best Page Forward, a book description writing service. 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 successful people aren’t necessarily good teachers Why self-paced courses don’t work The importance of a feedback loop Why most writers have multiple revenue streams When to write for an audience vs. for yourself Links: J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Bryan Cohen - http://bryancohen.com/ Amazon Ad Challenge (July 2020) - https://bryancohen.lpages.co/amazon-ad-profit-challenge-landing-july-2020/ How to Write a Sizzling Synopsis by Bryan Cohen - https://www.amazon.com/Write-Sizzling-Synopsis-Step-Step-ebook/dp/B01HYBWOF6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Amazon Ad School - <a href="https://selling-for-authors.teachable.com/p/amazon-ads-made-ea
Mon, May 04, 2020
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 - <a href="https://www.saveindiebookstores.com/" r
Mon, April 27, 2020
Mastering the Creative Process with #1 NY Times bestseller, 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-
Mon, April 20, 2020
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 Pr
Mon, April 13, 2020
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.saveindieboo
Mon, April 06, 2020
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 -
Mon, March 30, 2020
Captivating Readers with #1 NY Times bestseller, 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
Mon, March 23, 2020
Writing for an Audience with NY Times bestseller, 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 - <a href="https://www.jefferydeaver.com/novel/the-goodbye-man/" rel="noopener noreferrer" ta
Mon, March 16, 2020
Fostering Positive Change with #1 NY Times bestseller, 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/Con
Mon, March 09, 2020
Crafting Cinematic Scenes with NY Times bestseller, 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 - <a href="https://amzn.to/37SAR1a" target=
Mon, March 02, 2020
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 </em
Mon, February 24, 2020
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.co
Fri, February 21, 2020
Taking Advantage of Opportunity with Meg Gardiner
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 - <a href="https://cctrax.co
Mon, February 17, 2020
Creating a Magazine and Brand with NY Times bestseller and founder of Cemetery Dance Magazine, 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://cctr
Mon, February 10, 2020
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/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Mon, February 03, 2020
The Importance of Passion and Perseverance with #1 NY Times bestseller, 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.
Mon, January 27, 2020
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 Ov
Mon, January 20, 2020
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 <
Mon, January 13, 2020
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 a
Mon, January 06, 2020
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 - <a href="https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/" target="_bl
Mon, December 30, 2019
Storytelling and the Creative Process with NY Times bestseller, 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 - <a href="http://w
Mon, December 23, 2019
Traditional and Independent Publishing with Hugh Howey
Traditional and Independent Publishing with Hugh Howey Few authors have had as much success in both the traditional and independent publishing world as Hugh Howey. Since the launch of WOOL, Howey is an innovator with a unique voice. He is a brilliant fiction writer who, with the help of his agent, has negotiated publishing deals that were previously thought impossible. Hugh lives on a 50-foot catamaran while he sails around the world and this interview comes to you from the shores of Tahiti. From Amazon.com: Hugh Howey is the author of the award-winning Molly Fyde saga and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling WOOL series. The WOOL OMNIBUS won Kindle Book Review's 2012 Indie Book of the Year Award -- it has been as high as #1 on Amazon -- and 40 countries have picked up the work for translation. Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian are adapting the work for 20th Century Fox. 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 storytelling is meant to be a collaborative process What it means to be at liberty with language How an agent can have a tremendous impact on your career Why self-publishing and traditional publishing can complement each other The importance of self-publishing before pursuing the traditional path Why you should ignore the stigma of being independent Why experienced and accomplished writers need to help beginners Links: Hugh Howey - http://www.hughhowey.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 Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.com Contact us - <a href="https://writersinkpodcast.com/co
Mon, December 16, 2019
A Pivot on Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. Thorn
A Pivot on Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. Thorn Although just beginning the process, the guys introduce a pivot on pursuing a traditional publishing deal. J.D. looked through THE LAST TOWER and realized that the manuscript could be improved, but not without significant work to get it to the point where agents and editors would pay attention. Faced with a difficult decision, J. decides to table the manuscript for now and head in a different direction. 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 THE LAST TOWER wasn’t J.’s best option at the moment How passive voice and showing (vs. telling) can be problematic Why you must start your story with a great hook that gets a reader’s attention The ways in which J.D. has “broken the rules” in chapter 1 How Hugh Howey’s WOOL is the gold standard for grabbing a reader from the start Why J. doesn’t fret over words The problem with chasing trends when pursuing a traditional publishing deal What New York editors are chasing at the moment Why so many thrillers now have the word “girl” in the title The importance of vetting book ideas with someone you trust What the latest K-lytics’ report says about the horror genre How J.D. keeps his story ideas organized Why combining two story ideas might create something unique Why J.D. starts a story with a plane crash (hypothetical, of course) Links: K-lytics - http://k-lytics.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 Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.com Contact
Mon, December 16, 2019
Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. Thorn
Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. Thorn J. Thorn has published more than two million words of fiction and is an official member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. Thorn is a full-time writer, part-time professor at John Carroll University, co-owner of Molten Universe Media, podcaster, FM radio DJ, musician, and a certified Story Grid nerd. In episode 2 of Writers, Ink, the tables are turned as J.D. interviews J. about his desire to secure a traditional publishing deal for his manuscript, THE LAST TOWER. J.D. drops knowledge bombs in this conversation which is sure to enlighten authors at any stage of their journey. 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 exciting, new, unplanned segment of Writers, Ink. How J. became the show’s guinea pig Why after 10 years as an indie, why J. wants to pursue a traditional deal What J. did when he stopped getting rejections from agents Why THE LAST TOWER is the manuscript J. wants to query J.D.’s position on indie vs. traditional How J.D. kept Barnes & Noble honest When J.D. reads paper and when he reads on his Kindle The leverage Hugh Howey used to get a traditional publishing deal What J. did to prepare for Pitchfest at Thrillerfest Things that turn agents off in the querying process What Stepen King taught J.D. about point of view Tools J.D. uses to improve his manuscripts Links: Manuscript formatting - https://www.scribophile.com/academy/how-to-format-a-novel-manuscript Autocrit - http://autocrit.com J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/ J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/ Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep V
Mon, December 09, 2019
What it Takes to be a NY Times and International Bestselling Author with J.D. Barker
What it Takes to be an International Bestselling Author with J.D. Barker J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. In episode 1 of Writers, Ink, J. interviews J.D. about what it takes to become an international bestselling author. The two writers discuss the pursuit of traditional publishing and how to become an independent author. 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. can write two different books at the same time When J.D. writes his 3,000 words a day Advice J.D. implemented from Dean Koontz and James Patterson How writing with James Patterson has changed J.D.’s mind on outlines What J.D. says to new writers he mentors The only two books on writing J.D. uses on a regular basis How J.D. helped Dacre Stoker turn the corner on Dracul Why J.D. hired professional cover designers, editors, and proofreaders for his self-published books Why J.D. talks to his agent, Kristin Nelson, as much as his wife What traditional publishers can do that independents can’t How J.D. approaches the business of writing What J.D. still does day-to-day What J.D. thinks is on the near horizon for the publishing industry Links: Nelson Literacy Agency - https://nelsonagency.com/ The Fourth Monkey - https://books2read.com/fourthmonkey Dracul - https://books2read.com/draculnovel 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 - <a href="http://www.nhpr
Mon, December 09, 2019
A New Podcast for Writers
A New Podcast for Writers J.D. and J. met at Thrillerfest in New York City and developed an instant connection around the love of dark fiction, podcasting, introversion, and helping other authors navigate the business of writing. Both Barker and Thorn have an extensive background in author education and mentoring, therefore a new podcast seemed like the perfect venture in which to join forces and help struggling writers become career authors. Welcome to the show! 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/contact/ 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 Recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.com Contact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
loading...