Book Echoes

Today’s episode is a joint one with Let’s Start Writing, so if you also subscribe to LSW, no need to listen to both–they are the same! Today’s tips episode is about what to do when you’re writing along on one project and a shiny new story idea comes up, tempting you to cheat on your… Read More »Episode 140: When inspiration distracts

This week, I chatted with author Edward Di Gangi about his book, his book launch, what went well and what he’d do differently. It’s a whole book launch analysis. If you’re getting ready for a launch or looking ahead to one, this is a great episode to help you in decision making. About Edward: Edward… Read More »Episode 139: Analyzing a book launch with Edward Di Gangi

Thousands of writers write a book in a month during National Novel Writing Month, but what about writing so fast that you’re publishing a book each month for two years! That’s what cozy mystery author ACF Bookens has done. Of course, she’s not writing them the same month they are published–there’s editing, formatting, etc. to… Read More »Episode 138: Rapid release with ACF Bookens

It’s our second critique episode! This time, I talk to horror author Ghost Lady. We go over the sales page for one book and the first page of a manuscript for a work in progress. Hopefully you all learn a little something about creating a compelling first page and about crafting a sales page that… Read More »137: Sales page and First Page Critique

This week, I’ve got something a little different on the show, the first book sales page critique. Author Sean kindly volunteered to go first. I go over his book’s sales page from cover to description to categories. I hope you all learn a little something about presenting and selling books. If this is a format… Read More »Episode 136: Sales Page Critique #1

They say truth is stranger than fiction, so is it any wonder that history can inspire great fictional stories? In this episode, I chat with fellow mystery writer and podcaster Landis Wade about his historically inspired mystery, and about researching and writing fiction with a historical bent. Have a listen! Landis Wade is a recovering… Read More »Episode 135: Writing historically inspired fiction with Landis Wade

I’m so glad to be back this week. Last week the podcast took a short break because of Covid-related school closures (thank goodness my family all okay, though). Today I’m chatting about one of the rookie mistakes I see newer authors make, which is modeling themselves on household name authors or making choices they’ve been… Read More »Episode 134: Don’t model your author biz on household names

This week’s solo episode explores the ways fear holds us back in our writing and book promotion. What are some common ways we get held back? And what can we do about it? The good news is that this is normal. It happens to all of us. It’s also something we can chip away at… Read More »Episode 133: Is fear holding you back?

It’s character time! Just as I’m getting ready to start a new mystery for the upcoming Mysteries, Midsummer Sun, and Murders anthology, I had the chance to interview Carrie Knowles about creating and developing characters. We had a wonderful chat about the importance of character development, finding inspiration for characters, creating nonhuman characters, and so… Read More »Episode 132: Knowing Your characters with Carrie Knowles

This week, I honored my commitment to working more sustainably in 2022 and did something I’ve never done before. I took a mental health day. So I thought this week would be a great time to talk about writer burnout and how to avoid it. I’m joined by artist and writer e’Layne Kelley to talk… Read More »Episode 131: Burnout and how to avoid it with e’Layne Kelley