Author Your Dream
111 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Author Your Dream is the podcast for anyone looking to take the next step towards writing and publishing their book. Hosted by Kenny MacKay, the show offers a mix of solo episodes and interviews with industry experts to answer the questions many new authors often have.
Each episode is packed with actionable tips that you can apply to your own writing journey, from developing ideas to navigating the publishing industry. Whether you’re an aspiring author, entrepreneur, or simply someone with a passion for writing, Author Your Dream is here to help you turn your writing dreams into a reality.
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Episodes
Assembling a Launch Team with Allen Taylor
December 22, 2021 11:06 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBAssembling a book launch team is one of those things that first-time authors can dismiss as unimportant. I know I did when I published my first book. This was partly because I didn't understand the importance of a team. If you think you don't need this group or have already launched without a team, this episode will provide you with some great information. Highlights: 01:59 Allen's Author Journey 07:29 What is a book launch team 08:43 Why is it so important 09:47 Where to start 13:09 ...
Recording Your Own Audiobook with Keving G. Chapman
December 08, 2021 12:48 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBWith audiobooks becoming more popular, recording your own audiobook is something you might want to consider. In this episode, I talk with Kevin G. Chapman about his experience recording the audio for all of his books. We discuss the equipment and software he uses, his setup, and mastering the audio. Kevin is very open about the mistakes he has made over the years and happily shares so that others can avoid doing the same. Recording Your Own Audiobook Highlights 01:33 Kevin's Author Journe...
Building a Fan Base with Tahani Nelson
December 01, 2021 12:48 - 47 minutes - 43.2 MBBuilding a fanbase is not a simple task to accomplish. It can be slow going at times, yet it is vital to your success as an author. You want to build a group that loves what you do and will support you and your books. That's what my guest, Tahani Nelson, has done with what she affectionately calls her army. Tahani writes female military fantasy, has gathered a faithful following, and happily shares how she has done that. Highlights 01:32 Tahani's author journey 04:11 The Faoii Chronicles ...
Time Management for Authors with Stacy Juba
November 24, 2021 08:40 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBTime management is something that a lot of authors struggle with. In today's episode, I'm talking with author Stacy Juba. We discuss a number of topics, including effective strategies, time blocking and automating tasks to help you be more productive. My guest today is Stacy Juba. Stacy is an author, a freelance developmental editor, an online writing instructor, and an award-winning journalist who has published more than 3,000 articles in newspapers and magazines. She is the founder of Sho...
Legal Issues to Consider when Writing Your Book with Maria Riegger
November 17, 2021 01:29 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBMaria Riegger is a lawyer who joined me to talk about the legal issues that authors face when writing and publishing. This is a topic that I have seen so many questions about in the author communities. And I know that you will get a lot out of this episode. During the show, Maria and I talk about how to obtain permission to use song lyrics in your books and how to acquire that permission. We also discuss what to do if someone has infringed on your copyright and how to protect yourself by se...
How to get Exposure for Your Book with Christina Kaye
November 10, 2021 08:32 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBWhat does it mean to get exposure for your book? Every author's goal is different for writing, but we all want people to read our books. Getting exposure means getting your face out there for the world to see, recognize and connect. Getting more eyeballs on your book and your brand is essential; you can't just publish and cross your fingers hoping for the best. In this episode, Christina shares a few ways you can get your face out there and get exposure for your book. Highlights 02:01 Chr...
How to Have a Writer‘s Mindset with Aisha Lloyd-Minnis
November 03, 2021 00:01 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBVisit the Show Notes page for more value.
Augmented Reality and Writing for Dyslexic Readers with James Russell
October 26, 2021 23:06 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBCheck out the Show Notes page for more resources.
Working with Illustrators with Peter A Johnson
October 19, 2021 23:57 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBSign up for your free Author Website Guide. Check out the Show Notes page for more.
Using the Creation Myth in World-building with Jason DeGray
September 22, 2021 14:42 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBCheck out the Show Notes page for more
Co-writing with Kelly Blanchard and Matthew Dale
September 08, 2021 00:08 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBTrust, communication are key to co-writing a book. Kelly and Matthew have written an entire series and have some great insights to share. Highlights 01:05 Matthew's story 05:00 The Crown's Secret 08:42 Kelly's Writing Process 12:36 What it's like co-writing with a spouse 16:23 Issues that can arise 25:11 Working in another author's fictional universe 30:10 Strengths and weaknesses each brought to the process 33:25 Keeping things cohesive 37:31 What Kelly learned from Matthew 41:1...
Using Psychology to Build Your Characters with Darian Smith
August 25, 2021 01:34 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBCheck out the Show Notes page for more.
Writing Strong Female Characters with Ginger Moran
August 10, 2021 23:58 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBCheck out the Show Notes for more.
Facing Self-doubt with Bryan Nowak
July 28, 2021 14:39 - 45 minutes - 42 MBSelf-doubt! Limiting beliefs! Imposter syndrome! These insecurities are known by many different names. But they have one thing in common; every author faces them. In this episode of the podcast, Kenny chats with Bryan Nowak. Together they share the self-doubts they each faced and share how they overcame these limiting beliefs. Bryan Nowak writes horror, sci-fi, and mystery and currently has 8 books published. He is also the host of the All Things Writing Podcast. As an experienced writer, B...
The Art of Fight Scenes with Carla Hoch
July 13, 2021 23:57 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBCheck out the Show Notes page for more.
The Role of an Agent with Lucy V. Hay
June 30, 2021 00:33 - 41 minutes - 38 MBCheck out the Show Notes page for more. k0MG5aykbzolXFAjZaE3k k0MG5aykbzoIXFAjZaE3 k0MG5aykbzoIXFAjZaE3 k0MG5aykbzoIXFAjZaE3
The Value of a Writing Coach with Ann Kroeker
June 16, 2021 10:33 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBGet more on the Show Notes page.
Streamline Your Revision Process with Brad Pauquette
June 02, 2021 08:09 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBClick here for full Show Notes
Organizing Your Revision Process with Brad Pauquette
June 02, 2021 08:09 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBClick here for full Show Notes
Instagram for Authors with Danielle Wilkinson
May 19, 2021 09:05 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBInstagram for authors is one topic guests and listeners alike have asked about. So I reached out to Danielle Wilkinson, a marketing specialist and social media strategist. In this episode, Danielle shares how authors need to niche down on Instagram to find their community, some mistakes to avoid, as well as common misconceptions about marketing. She also talks with us about creating an Instagram strategy and creating a content posting plan. Highlights 01:59 Danielle's Background 05:00 Bes...
Season 2 Promo
May 11, 2021 13:55 - 1 minute - 1.09 MBThe Author Your Dream Podcast is back. Season 2 is packed with value. Kenny has interviews covering topics like submitting your work to agents, writing fight scenes and more.
Becoming a Bestseller with Ally Deatherage
April 07, 2021 11:53 - 39 minutes - 36 MBBecoming a bestseller is something that almost every author would love. Today's episode is with author Ally Deatherage who was referred to me by Shayla Raquel, a past guest, from Episode 12 on Author Branding. Ally reached the number one spot on her first day. We talk about her process for writing her non-fiction book Sort By Season and how she was able to pack a lot of value in a small book. We will also talk about how she overcame her doubts when picking categories where Marie Kondo and M...
Standing Out in a Crowded Category with Ally Deatherage
April 07, 2021 11:53 - 39 minutes - 36 MBCheck out the Show Notes page for more.
Cover Design with a Professional with Maja Kopunovic
March 24, 2021 10:31 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBJudging a book by its cover design is something we all do. A good cover design entices us to look at the back blurb or open the book to read the first page. Having a great cover is one component of publishing your book that can help you sell more books. Whether you work with a professional or not is up to you. As an independent author, I know that there can be many upfront costs, and hiring a professional for your cover design adds to the pile. It's almost easier to Google an image and does ...
How to Write Better Dialogue with Justin Lee Anderson
March 10, 2021 01:03 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBLearning how to write better dialogue is one way to capture your readers' interest. You want your reader to leave their own mind and go on a journey or have an experience with your characters. Having bad dialogue will pull them out of that experience into their own mind and break the magic of your story. Today's guest is Justin Lee Anderson. Justin was a professional writer for fifteen years before publishing his first novel in 2015. As a scriptwriter, he has some great information for how...
Marketing and Publicity for Authors with Dana Kaye
February 24, 2021 00:38 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBMarketing and publicity are two things that an author must think about when writing and publishing a book. In today's episode, Kenny talks with Dana Kaye about this subject. Dana is the owner of Kaye Publicity and has been a publicist for 10+ years. She works with authors to help them become more memorable and make meaningful connections. She also is the founder and host of the Your Breakout Book podcast, a show that helps authors write, publish and prosper. Dana gives two fantastic defi...
Funding Your Writing with Grants and Crowdfunding with Christiane Allison
February 10, 2021 02:31 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBFunding your writing can be tricky. But did you know you have options if you are willing to put in the work? In this episode, I talk with author Christiane Allison, who has received a combined total of about $16,000 through applying for grants and crowdfunding with Kickstarter. Christiane funded her children's books at a time when print on demand for pictures books was not a thing. In this episode, she shares the process for setting up a campaign on Kickstarter. She also shares her insights...
Buliding an Email List with PD Alleva
January 27, 2021 02:43 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBBuilding an email list is something that every author should be seriously considering. It is a great way to stay connected with your fans and build an authentic connection with them. Plus, being able to contact them about a promotion or a new book you have coming out is priceless. If you rely on social media to do this, you run the risk of them changing the rules without any input from you. Having your own list prevents you from losing touch with your people. Today's show is all about bu...
How to Write Great Setting Descriptions with Justin Fike
January 13, 2021 09:59 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBHave you ever wanted to know how to write great setting descriptions? I don't mean simple, bland descriptions; I'm talking amazing descriptions that immerse your readers in the world you've created. The ability to do this isn't something people are born with. It's a skill they've developed by studying their craft and practice. In this episode, author Justin Fike shares some tips for how you can improve your descriptions. Throughout the interview, we talk about anchor points, the difference...
Use Story Planner to Save Time and Get Organized with Craig A. Price
December 30, 2020 12:00 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBDo you want to save time and get organized with your writing? In today's episode, I talk with USA Today Bestselling author Craig A. Price about how to do that. We were originally going to discuss using an app called Story Planner to plot your novels. But The more we talked, the clearer it became that this episode was about a fantastic resource for authors. Craig has written multiple series over the years and has tried different approaches to plotting and outlining. Until he found the Sto...
Developing Characters with D.J. Munden
December 16, 2020 02:04 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBDeveloping characters is a favourite part of writing for today's guest. D.J. Munden, which is one reason I asked him on as a guest. D.J. is a science fiction and fantasy author with multiple books to his name, including Tavern, which we discuss during the interview. D.J.'s author story is interesting because he found his love for writing while pursuing a different career. In this episode of the Author Your Dream podcast we talk about where to start in the character development process, how...
Hybrid Outlining with J.M.D.Reid
December 02, 2020 02:11 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MBHybrid outlining is the approach that J.M.D. Reid has discovered works best for him and his novels. But what exactly is hybrid outlining, and how can it help you? This approach is a combination of pantsing and plotting. A pantser is someone who writes intuitively and rarely has an outline at all. A plotter is someone who knows every detail of their story before they sit down and write. J.M.D. Reid has found that he works best when he plots the mechanics of a story and takes a pantsing appro...
Search Engine Optimization for Authors: Keywords with Dorit Sasson
November 18, 2020 10:27 - 46 minutes - 43 MBSearch engine optimization has often been the cause of headaches for many authors. With everything else that you have to do as an author, SEO can seem overly complicated and even a bit scary. Many think that it's too technical or not for them. But it doesn't have to be. In today's episode, my guest Dorit Sasson shares how you can and should change your perspective on this topic. She explains how SEO is really about connecting with people you normally wouldn't have a chance to connect with. ...
Balancing Work, Life and Staying Healthy as an Author with L.J. Stanton
October 28, 2020 12:11 - 56 minutes - 52 MBBalancing work, life, and staying healthy can be tricky. My guest is the first to admit that she hasn't mastered this ability but is constantly working to improve. In this episode is L.J. Stanton, she talks about writing with a disability and how she keeps things in balance. L.J. shares some fantastic advice for authors in any walk of life. Having been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, L.J. talks a lot about knowing your body and its limits. The biggest thing I took away from my interv...
Author-Reviewer Relationship with Kali Brixton
October 14, 2020 07:50 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBThe author-reviewer relationship is something you, as an author, should be looking to cultivate. It will take some leg work, but in the end, it is well worth it. In today's episode, I talk to Kali Brixton about her experience as a book reviewer here experience and what she thinks is important for authors to know. You will hear some useful tips to help you find book reviewers and how you can build authentic relationships with them. Kali also shares the importance of remembering that re...
How to do NaNoWriMo with Kelly Blanchard
September 30, 2020 08:19 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBHave you ever wondered how to do NaNoWriMo? Maybe you have attempted the challenge but couldn't complete it. In this episode, I had the opportunity to speak to author, Kelly Blanchard, about how to have a successful NaNoWriMo. Kelly has participated in National Novel Writing Month every year since 2007. She has successfully written and published multiple books including several from her fantasy series The Chronicles of Lorrek. With NaNoWriMo 2020 just a few weeks away I really wanted to ...
Book Formatting with Julia Scott
September 16, 2020 07:32 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBWhat is book formatting? What are some tips for working with a professional book formatter? Can I do it myself? These are just a few questions that might be running the mind of an aspiring author. In this episode of the podcast, I had the chance to interview author and professional book formatter, Julia Scott. Book formatting is all about making the inside of your book look nice. You can do a simple format or a much more comprehensive one that includes graphics. Whatever your need is, Julia...
Finding Your Genre
September 02, 2020 12:46 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBFinding your genre can be difficult, especially when your book kind fits into a genre but not completely. Today's guest Andrea Nourse knows what that's like. She writes women's fiction but doesn't feel that it is an entirely adequate genre for her books. Andrea is a woman who writes about strong women, but her books are not necessarily romance novels. In today's episode, Andrea shares how she categorizes her books and shares some tips to help you. Highlights • Read widely and find...
Finding Your Genre with Andrea Nourse
September 02, 2020 12:46 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBFinding your genre can be difficult, especially when your book kind fits into a genre but not completely. Today's guest Andrea Nourse knows what that's like. She writes women's fiction but doesn't feel that it is an entirely adequate genre for her books. Andrea is a woman who writes about strong women, but her books are not necessarily romance novels. In today's episode, Andrea shares how she categorizes her books and shares some tips to help you. Highlights • Read widely and find...
Creating Diverse Characters with Mariana Llanos
August 19, 2020 11:00 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBCreating diverse characters in your writing is such an essential topic for all writers. It is also an extremely deep topic that cannot be covered in a single podcast episode. It's a subject that we all need to be continuously learning about. I have been planning this episode for quite a while, and I'm excited to share this interview with Marian Llanos. Mariana was born in Peru, and she writes children's books with a diverse cast of characters. Throughout this episode, we talk about how wri...
Wrting from the Antagonist Point of View with Maria Ann Green
August 05, 2020 11:28 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBWriting from the antagonist point of view can be a challenge. Today's guest is best selling author Maria Ann Green. She is the author of eight books in the thriller and romance genres, and she talks about how she approaches this challenge. So many of the books I read and even write come from the hero's perspective. When Maria reached out to me and mentioned she could talk about this topic, I jumped at the chance. There is just something so interesting about making your villain the main cha...
Recording Audiobooks with Joe Monzo
July 08, 2020 16:52 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBIn today's episode, I had the chance to have a conversation about recording audiobooks with Joe Monzo. Joe is a professional voice artist who has recorded several audiobooks, informational commercials, video games. We talk about the process of a narrator goes through to record an audiobook, and he shares the behind the scenes work that goes into the final product. You will hear some great tips for how you can be better prepared if you are planning to hire someone to narrate your audio...
Author Branding with Shayla Raquel
June 24, 2020 00:48 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBIn today's episode, I had the opportunity to interview Shayla Raquel. Shayla was referred to me by Mindy Schoeneman in Episode 03, and I am so glad that I reached out to her. She is an expert editor, best selling author, and book marketer. On top of all of that, she runs an award-winning blog for writers. Shayla is the author of "The 10 Commandments of Author Branding" and joins me to share her knowledge. Believe that this episode will provide you with some valuable insights as you build you...
Trouble with a Book Cover Designer with Arti Manani
June 10, 2020 13:53 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBIn today's episode, I had the opportunity to interview indie author Arti Manani. During the interview, we talked about the trouble she had with a book cover designer. During the conversation, she also shares some marketing tips and tells us how she went about reaching out to book reviewers. Highlights 05:11 Not everybody is exactly who they say they are. 18:11 The indie author community is massive and so helpful. 25:29 Compare your cover to other covers in your genre Resources...
Outlining from a Pantser's Perspective
June 03, 2020 09:43 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBI am a pantser, someone who writes by the seat of their pants. It's how I live life, and if I'm honest, I'm happy with that. But when I was writing my first book, I was struggling to get it finished. I would jump around from chapter to chapter, making little to no progress. After researching how to publish a book, one thing stood out to me above all the information that I had found. Start with an outline! Today's episode talks about outlining form a pantser's perspective. When I started...
World-Building with Jasmine Young
May 27, 2020 11:47 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBIn this episode, YA Fantasy author Jasmine Young shares with us her author's journey and talks to us about world-building. Jasmine is the author of the Four Kingdoms Origins series. With four different kingdoms and four unique characters, she has built an incredible world with a rich and varied history. Throughout the episode, you will hear how Jasmine approaches world-building, some research suggestions, and what to avoid. She will also share some tips and resources to help you creat...
World Building 101
May 27, 2020 11:47 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBIn this episode, YA Fantasy author Jasmine Young shares with us her author's journey and talks to us about world-building. Jasmine is the author of the Four Kingdoms Origins series. With four different kingdoms and four unique characters, she has built an incredible world with a rich and varied history. Throughout the episode, you will hear how Jasmine approaches world-building, some research suggestions, and what to avoid. She will also share some tips and resources to help you create your...
How to Publish a Book on Amazon
May 20, 2020 09:27 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBThere are so many different publishing platforms available. But which ones should you use? One platform that comes to mind when thinking about this question is Amazon. Today's episode will talk about how to publish your book on Amazon. It's actually easier than you may think. The episode takes a detailed look at the publishing platform. It covers everything from signing up to uploading your first book and creating your author bio for Amazon. Much of what I share in this episode comes ...
Dealing with Negative Book Reviews
May 13, 2020 12:50 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBDealing with negative book reviews can be difficult, especially if it's your first one. You have invested a lot of time in your book, sometimes even years. You have edited your book and finally published your manuscript. Then come the reviews. As much as you love your book, it will not appeal to everyone. People will leave negative feedback. Some will be a fair appraisal of your book, while others may just be mean spirited. Learning how to handle these unfavorable reviews is important; yo...
Why Your Book Won’t be a Success and What You Can do About it
May 06, 2020 09:44 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBIn today's episode, find out why your book won't be a success. That may sound a little harsh, but there is something that you can do. If you want your book to be a success, then you need to define what success looks like for you. Failing to do this will ensure that your book does not succeed. Highlights • Defining success for yourself and your book is something that only you should do. • Use your why to define what success looks like for you and your book. •As you continue in your author j...