The Writing Podcast
127 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago -This is the podcast for aspiring writers, an A-to-Z guide to writing, publishing, and promoting your article, book, or any other writing project. Your hosts are Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz, co-founders of Journey Sixty6, an editorial services company and independent publisher for the family business community. Each episode is designed to inspire and instruct writers as they take the long road trip to write and promote their ideas.
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Episodes
Book Coach Lisa Tener on How to Navigate Feedback from Editors
May 13, 2024 18:57 - 49 minutes - 68.4 MBAs a writer, you understand the effort needed to transform raw ideas into polished words. Feedback from beta readers, book coaches, or developmental editors can show that a seemingly complete work requires significant revisions. In today's episode, Lisa Tener, an acclaimed book writing and publishing expert, shares her experiences and insights on navigating feedback to bring your manuscript to fruition. Great Moments in the Episode 2:29 – 6:30 Introduction to Lisa’s new book, Breathe...
How to Build a Following on LinkedIn that Translates to New Opportunities
April 29, 2024 14:00 - 50 minutes - 68.7 MBIn this episode, Amy Davies, a LinkedIn powerhouse, author of A Spark in the Dark, and CEO of First 30, shares actionable tips for turning your LinkedIn activity into new opportunities. Discover the best times to post, what content resonates with audiences, and how to boost engagement. If you're looking to elevate your LinkedIn strategy, this is your must-listen guide to success. Great Moments in the Episode 3:10 – 6:30 How to get into a speaking bureau and the benefits of a speaking...
Amy Davies on How to Build a Following on LinkedIn that Translates to New Opportunities
April 29, 2024 14:00 - 50 minutes - 68.7 MBIn this episode, Amy Davies, a LinkedIn powerhouse, author of A Spark in the Dark, and CEO of First 30, shares actionable tips for turning your LinkedIn activity into new opportunities. Discover the best times to post, what content resonates with audiences, and how to boost engagement. If you're looking to elevate your LinkedIn strategy, this is your must-listen guide to success. Great Moments in the Episode 3:10 – 6:30 How to get into a speaking bureau and the benefits of a speaking...
How to Write about Difficult Topics in Memoirs
April 08, 2024 14:00 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MBWriting a memoir likely will dredge up some difficult memories. For some writers, the pain of these memories might slow down the process of writing, like it did for Cheryl Landes, author of The Best I Can Do. It took Cheryl nearly two decades to complete her memoir. In this episode, Cheryl offers advice for structuring a memoir after years of being stuck. She also shares strategies for relieving tension and writing complex characters that the reader will cheer for. Great Moments in the E...
What an Idea Does for Your Book
March 25, 2024 14:22 - 50 minutes - 69 MBIf you want to write a book that influences the world, you need to start with a creative idea. Great ideas form the essence of great books. And yet idea development is one of the biggest struggles of writers. In this episode, Dave and Melissa talk about what an idea really is, how to sharpen your idea, and how to develop an idea, so that readers read your book from beginning to end. Great Moments in the Episode 7:37 – 12:19 What an idea is and examples of how to narrow an idea. 12:...
How to Develop a Creative Idea for Your Nonfiction Book
March 25, 2024 14:22 - 50 minutes - 69 MBIf you want to write a book that influences the world, you need to start with a creative idea. Great ideas form the essence of great books. And yet idea development is one of the biggest struggles of writers. In this episode, Dave and Melissa talk about what an idea really is, how to sharpen your idea, and how to develop an idea, so that readers read your book from beginning to end. Great Moments in the Episode 7:37 – 12:19 What an idea is and examples of how to narrow an idea. 12:...
Octavia Goredema on Finding Support throughout the Book Writing Journey
March 11, 2024 14:00 - 45 minutes - 63 MBThe book publishing journey doesn’t always start with writing the book. It often starts with a book proposal, especially if you want to pursue traditional publishing. But how do you get a book proposal in the hands of a publishing house? You might need a literary agent. Octavia Goredema, author of PREP, PUSH, PIVOT: Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women talks about how she landed a literary agent and secured a book deal with Wiley. She also shares how to authentically grow y...
Becky Robinson on How to Cultivate Online Followers
February 26, 2024 19:26 - 45 minutes - 62.1 MBThe ever-evolving digital landscape can be daunting, leaving authors unsure of where to focus their efforts. Becky Robinson, founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, shares insights from her book Reach and discusses the four commitments to cultivating online followers. From practical tips to words of encouragement, this conversation is a must-listen for both seasoned and first-time authors seeking to expand their reach in the digital world. Great Moments in the Episode 4:23 – 6:02 Why m...
Virginia Frischkorn on Hosting Successful Book Launch Events
January 22, 2024 14:00 - 40 minutes - 55.2 MBOne of the most memorable days for an author—especially a first-time author—is their book launch party. It’s a celebration of the hours, days, months—maybe even years—you’ve devoted to writing your book. A book launch event, however, is more than a party. It’s a strategic move where your word-of-mouth marketing begins. So just as with your book, it's worth putting effort into its planning and execution. And it also means getting creative. In this episode, Virginia Frischkorn, the founder...
Jordan Rosenfeld on Storytelling Techniques to Use in Nonfiction Writing
January 08, 2024 21:19 - 35 minutes - 49.4 MBIn the realm of nonfiction writing, facts and information reign supreme. They are critical to educating and persuading your audience. To do this, however, your writing must have emotional resonance. Storytelling is an elemental way to emotionally engage and connect with your reader. But nonfiction writers often feel insecure when it comes to creative storytelling. Expert storyteller and writing coach Jordan Rosenfeld explores how to write stories into your nonfiction writing to create a last...
7 Tips for Producing a Family History Documentary
December 08, 2023 22:01 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBThere’s a story behind every successful family business and enterprise. Some families will write a book. But some families might find a documentary is the best way to capture the family story. In this episode, Dave and Melissa will help you explore why a documentary might be a better vehicle than a book. They also offer 7 tips on how to create a compelling documentary that best tells your family’s story. Great Moments in the Episode 5:15 – 8:35 The limits of a book for capturing y...
Author and Book Coach Stacy Ennis on Systems for Book Writing and Landing a TED Talk
November 10, 2023 20:33 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MBIf you’re stuck in the book writing process, you’ll want to tune into this episode. Bestselling author, speaker, ghostwriter, and book coach Stacy Ennis offers practical systems for developing your voice, focusing your book idea, and how to land a coveted spot as a TED speaker. Great Moments in the Episode 2:35 – 9:58 Strategies for packaging nonfiction principles as fiction. 12:00 – 13:43 A formula for writing a good article quickly. 13:45 – 15:39 Why you might be struggling wi...
Author and Book Coach Stacy Ennis on Systems for Book Writing and Landing a TEDx Talk
November 10, 2023 20:33 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MBIf you’re stuck in the book writing process, you’ll want to tune into this episode. Bestselling author, speaker, ghostwriter, and book coach Stacy Ennis offers practical systems for developing your voice, focusing your book idea, and how to land a coveted spot as a TEDx speaker. Great Moments in the Episode 2:35 – 9:58 Strategies for packaging nonfiction principles as fiction. 12:00 – 13:43 A formula for writing a good article quickly. 13:45 – 15:39 Why you might be struggling w...
Author Ryan Frederick on Successful Platform Building
October 26, 2023 20:30 - 47 minutes - 65.4 MBYou have a great idea and you’ve written a terrific book, but that’s only the first step in the book writing journey. How do you sell the book and use it to extend your thought-leadership platform and your business? Ryan Frederick, author of “Right Place, Right Time: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home for the Second Half of Life,” shares how he leveraged his book after its publication. He provides insights into the development of an online assessment, workshops, and courses. More importan...
Anne Janzer on Joyful and Successful Book Marketing
October 02, 2023 14:00 - 44 minutes - 61.6 MBWhen most writers think about the book journey, they’re focused on writing and then publishing. But what about book marketing? In this episode, Anne Janzer, a thought leader in the marketing industry, explores the ever-evolving book marketing landscape. Discover Anne's philosophy of “servant-authorship” and the power of building focused audiences. You’ll come away with practical strategies that make book marketing a joyful and successful endeavor. Great Moments in the Episode 4:19 – 6:...
What Form Should Your Content Take?
September 19, 2023 19:43 - 53 minutes - 73.1 MBIn this episode, Dave and Melissa are back together to tackle a pressing question: What's the optimal format for your ideas? Is it really a book? Or are there alternatives that are a better fit for you? Our world is ripe with content formats for you to package your ideas, from videos, blog posts, podcasts to eBooks, and even paid subscription newsletters. There are so many options. The key is choosing the right format. By the end, we hope you discover the best format for your ideas. Gre...
Author Kristin Keffeler on Writing a Nonfiction Book that Connects with Your Ideal Audience
September 05, 2023 13:31 - 49 minutes - 67.6 MBIf you have done research and want to know how to turn that research into a book, this podcast episode is for you. Author of The Myth of the Silver Spoon, Kristen Keffeler, discusses her journey turning her research into a nonfiction book that was picked up by a traditional publisher. Kristin explains the importance of narrowing your audience, sharpening your thesis, and creating a structure that pulls the reader through from beginning to end. Kristin also shares the highs and lows of market...
Lisa Tener on Writing a Book Proposal that Lands You a Deal
August 21, 2023 22:31 - 42 minutes - 57.9 MBYou want a traditional book deal? First you need a stand-out book proposal. But for many first-time authors, creating a book proposal is a mystery. What do you include? What don’t you include? What are agents really looking for? In this episode author and book proposal coach Lisa Tener provides insider knowledge of what it takes to create a proposal that catches the eye of a literary agent and a publisher. Great Moments in the Episode 6:50 – 8:16 The number one thing publishers and...
Vikrant Shauruya on Becoming a Nonfiction Bestselling Author
August 07, 2023 17:57 - 40 minutes - 55.1 MBIn this podcast, Dave and Melissa interview Vikrant Shauruya, founder of Authors on a Mission, on how to market and sell your nonfiction book. Vikrant discusses what a “bestselling book” actually is, and why a successful book is built on a well-written book. Great Moments in the Episode 05:15 – 07:57 Expectations for sales of first book. 8:04 – 09:41 Podcasting as a marketing strategy. 09:43 – 12:26 How to identify podcasts to pursue in order to maximize marketing. 12:27 – 14:19 How ...
Author Josh Rutherford on Applying Screenwriting Principles to a Fantasy Book Series
July 24, 2023 18:28 - 41 minutes - 56.7 MBOur interview with Josh Rutherford, author of The Fourpointe Chronicles, provides aspiring fantasy novelists valuable insights on how to create a believable fantasy world, how to develop characters over a series of books, and how to apply screenwriting techniques to novel writing. Josh also encourages new writers to get started, even when you don’t have it all figured out, and to find the right type of feedback during the writing journey. You won’t want to miss this episode. Great Moment...
Cristen Iris on How to Move your Story Forward with Scenes
July 10, 2023 14:00 - 47 minutes - 65.9 MBThe best television shows and movies have memorable scenes. In those scenes, characters are forced to make choices that move the story forward. This is the essence of screenwriting. And, according to ghostwriter Cristen Iris, it’s also the essence of great memoirs and fiction. In this episode we chat with Cristen about how the basic principles of screenwriting can be applied to fiction and memoirs so your reader will read from beginning to end. Great Moments in the Episode Basic element...
Author Paula Munier on How to Create the Perfect Plot
June 23, 2023 13:51 - 45 minutes - 63 MBHow do you keep your reader reading till the wee hours of the morning—because they have to figure out how the story ends? You must create a narrative arc that, scene by scene, plot point by plot point, keeps the reader questioning. Paula Munier, author of Plot Perfect: Building Unforgettable Stories Scene by Scene, offers a plot-building strategy that works no matter the genre you’re writing in. Great Moments in the Episode 6:19-7:10: How people decide to buy a book. 7:10-8:52: The i...
What Is a Developmental Edit? And Why It Matters to the Success of Your Book
June 04, 2023 19:56 - 43 minutes - 60.4 MBA developmental edit for your book project is as essential as eating right and working out if you want to be fit. You always need a developmental edit, no matter your experience as a writer. The most sophisicated writers expect it. Developmental editing is not about tearing down your work or diminishing your voice as a writer. It's a collaborative effort between an expert and you. In this episode, Melissa and Dave define what a developmental edit is and identify some of the emotions when hea...
Lisa Cron on the Misbelief of Your Protagonist and Why It Matters to Your Story
May 11, 2023 16:14 - 45 minutes - 62.6 MBLisa Cron is no fan of how the writing world teaches writers to craft stories. She has several beefs with the standard ways novel writing is taught, including starting your project with "plotting." In this episode, Lisa offers a fresh, practical perspective on the key to writing a compelling story. Lisa has written three books on story, including Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die. She has worked in publishing at W.W. Norton, as an agent at the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency, as...
Cristen Iris on Thinking Like a Filmmaker When Writing Your Memoir
April 17, 2023 22:41 - 49 minutes - 67.3 MBUltimately, your memoir is not about you. It's about the reader. And what the reader takes away from spending hours, even days reading your book. In this practical episode, Cristen Iris gives memoir writers a clear path to writing a memoir that gets read. Cristen is an award-winning ghostwriter, developmental editor, and publishing consultant who specializes in working with high achievers on commercially viable nonfiction and upmarket fiction projects. Great Moments in the Episode (6:04) T...
Emily Enger on Good Enough Book Marketing for Fiction and Creative Writers
April 01, 2023 20:48 - 52 minutes - 71.4 MBMost writers simply want to write and publish. And not have to deal with the hassle of social media and selling their book. In this episode with book marketing coach Emily Enger, she introduces the concept of "good enough" book marketing. She says that writers should focus on the writing first and foremost, putting "your perfectionism marbles in that corner." Great Moments in the Episode (4:18) How marketing a fiction book is different from marketing a nonfiction book. (6:54) The essen...
View Your Time Set Aside for Writing as Sacred
March 11, 2023 23:33 - 39 minutes - 54.9 MBThe word sacred is not too lofty of a word to describe your time set aside to write. In this episode, Melissa and Dave co-opt a religious term and apply it to the time set apart to write. Great Moments in the Episode (1:49) Dave's progress: his daughter is picking up the sport of lacrosse in high school. (4:39) Melissa's progress: she launched her website for Megillicutti, something she has wanted to do for years. (8:03) How the idea for this episode came up in our research for a work...
Rosanne Bane on How to Overcome Writer’s Block
February 26, 2023 01:38 - 55 minutes - 76.5 MBIn this extensive interview, Rosanne Bane helps writer's unlock their resistance to write. Author of "Around the Writer's Block," she explains the science behind our procrastination and excuses, and provides practical tips to get back on track. Great Moments in the Episode (3.30) The story of a woman in France in 1906 with a brain injury and how her response to pain illustrates conscious and unconscious memory. (8:08) Rosanne discusses how, traditionally, the brain is thought to be mad...
Bryan Cohen on How to Sell Your Self Published Book with Amazon Ads
February 03, 2023 20:39 - 44 minutes - 61.8 MBBryan Cohen is Da Guru when it comes to selling your book with Amazon ads. In this practical interview, Bryan gives us the inside scoop on how self-published authors can use Amazon ads to promote their books and other products and services. Bryan, the founder of "Author Ad School," is a USA Today bestselling author. He is also CEO of "Best Page Forward" and the author of many fiction and nonfiction books. Great Moments in the Episode (4.10) How Bryan used fictionalized characters to eng...
Novelist Jaimie Engel on Becoming a Romcom Screenwriter
January 16, 2023 21:07 - 40 minutes - 56 MBIn this interview with youth fantasy fiction and non-fiction writer Jaimie Engle, she describes her journey to become a RomCom screenplay writer. Great Moments in this Episode (4:30) How Jaime made a surprise connection to an attorney in the film industry during what she calls the Apocalypse (the first couple years of Covid) (6:00) Her decision to take a Zoom class on "How to write the Christmas RomCom" (8:20) The moment Jaime heard the news that she had landed a contract for her firs...
First-Time Novelist Linda Fifer on Losing Her First Draft and Her Persistence to Complete the Project
December 20, 2022 23:59 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBAt one point in writing her debut novel, The Road between Two Skies, Linda Fifer lost the entire manuscript. Her husband had misplaced it, and there was no digital copy. In our interview with Linda, she discusses how she reconstructed her story and how she persisted for years before she was able to complete and then self-publish the novel. The story is about how an abduction upends a woman’s life. The main character loses her memory after the kidnapping and finds herself on a journey to reme...
Getting Real about the Costs of Publishing Your Book
December 01, 2022 23:22 - 55 minutes - 76 MBIt's a big expense to publish your book. And most likely the sales from it won't cover the publishing costs. At least for most writers. We all have fantasies about landing a big publisher and selling millions, but the super majority of books sell around 250 copies. At least that's what Google says. If that's true, there's no way to recoup the costs to publish your ideas. At least not from book sales only. So why write? In this episode, Melissa and Dave get real about the true costs of publis...
Novelist and Memoirist Donna Freitas on Identifying the ”Why” of Your Book
November 10, 2022 23:21 - 48 minutes - 67.2 MBUntil you know the "why" of your book, you may struggle to structure it. So believes Donna Freitas, Brooklyn-based author of fiction and nonfiction. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The LA Times, among other places. She is currently on faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MFA in Creative Writing. In this delightful episode, Donna discusses the "hooking and holding" approach to writing chapters. She says that your first draft is for you. Yo...
Writers Don’t Storytell, They Storyshow
October 25, 2022 18:22 - 39 minutes - 54.8 MB"Show, don't tell" - that is the most basic advice given at every writer's workshop or conference. As a writer, you must show what is happening, not merely tell what happened. Writers do not have the luxury of sound to assist with narrating the story. Nor do writers have video or motion graphics. Or even images to illustrate their stories. Writers have only words. In this episode, Melissa and Dave offer six strategies for making sure you are "showing, not telling" in your novels, memoirs, an...
Novelist Ann Hood on the Revision Process for Novels and Memoirs
October 09, 2022 14:09 - 38 minutes - 53.3 MBNovelist and memoirist Ann Hood prefers the phrase "glorious mess" when referring to the first draft of a writing project. Ann recently published "Fly Girl: A Memoir," about her career as a life attendant in the late 1970s and 1980s. She has written 14 novels and four memoirs. In this episode, Ann discusses the revision process, quoting another writer who said that revising your work isn't cleaning up after the party, it is the party. She gives us insight into her revision process, how she p...
Jennifer Bisbing on Editing for Writers Who Plan to Self Publish
September 21, 2022 16:43 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBYour readers need you to be clear. Jennifer Bisbing, book editor and author of the mystery “Under the Pines," says that if an author writes with clarity about his or her theme, readers will have greater insight and appreciation. In this interview with Jennifer, she discusses how she researched her novel, which is told through the eyes of an eight-year-old. She also describes her experience in a writer's group and its value for an aspiring author. Jennifer is a professional editor, providing ...
How to Begin to Write Your Family Story
September 06, 2022 18:07 - 53 minutes - 74 MBMost every family story includes heroes and scoundrels, and lovable as well as colorful characters. If you've ever considered writing your family history, you've probably asked, "Where do I begin the story?" In this episode, Melissa and Dave offer seven tips to begin writing your family story. One is to select a purpose early on for the writing project: "Why am I writing this?" That will help you decide what to include in your writing - and what to leave on the cutting room floor.
Book Publicist Julia Drake on the Three Key Ways to Promote Your Book
August 22, 2022 16:47 - 33 minutes - 45.3 MBPromoting your book should begin the day you decide to write a book. That may seem like an overstatement, but the earlier you begin to think about your audience, the more success you'll have if later you decide hire a book publicist like Julia Drake, president and co-founder of Wildbound PR. In this episode, Julia identifies the three keys to book promotion (media, social media, and events). She explains how authors can make their books stand out, even in a crowded, noisy marketplace. Julia...
Platform-Building Expert Stephanie Chandler on Growing an Audience for Your Writing
August 09, 2022 22:11 - 42 minutes - 58.4 MBThe word platform is a synonym for "audience." To build your writing platform means to build your audience. Many new writers groan at the idea of building their audience while also trying to write a book. It seems overwhelming. In this episode, Stephanie Chandler gives writers a simple roadmap for getting started in building an audience. CEO of NonfictionAuthorsAssociation.com, Stephanie is also the author of numerous books for writers, including The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan and The N...
Literary Agent Soumeya Roberts on How Aspiring Authors Can Improve Their Query
July 18, 2022 13:48 - 40 minutes - 56.1 MBEven if they are not actively soliciting new ideas, most literary agents still long for the thrill of discovering a new writer who speaks to them. In this interview with Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts, she identifies the three elements that she looks for in a manuscript - style, structure, and setting. A literary agent with HG Literary, Soumeya represents literary novels and collections, upmarket fiction, and non-fiction, both narrative and prescriptive. Aspiring writers will come away from this...
Literary Agent Soumeya Roberts on How Agents Assess Your Manuscript
July 18, 2022 13:48 - 40 minutes - 56.1 MBEven if they are not actively soliciting new ideas, most literary agents still long for the thrill of discovering a new writer who speaks to them. In this interview with Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts, she identifies the three elements that she looks for in a manuscript - style, structure, and setting. A literary agent with HG Literary, Soumeya represents literary novels and collections, upmarket fiction, and non-fiction, both narrative and prescriptive. Aspiring writers will come away from this...
5 Ways to Build a Following for Your Writing
July 11, 2022 14:47 - 37 minutes - 51 MB"Publishing is a business." That statement is as true for those who self publish as it is for those who plan to pitch a traditional publisher. Who will purchase your book? And how do you reach them? Years ago, a popular writer named Michael Hyatt coined the phrase "platform building." It's the idea that if you want to publish, you need to simultaneously create followers who will purchase your book. In this episode, we identify the five main ways that writers can build their following.
Book Agent Miriam Altshuler on Query Letters and Aspiring Authors
June 26, 2022 16:40 - 33 minutes - 46.1 MBNew York literary agent Miriam Altshuler looks for specific elements in a query letter. For starters, the query should not be longer than three paragraphs. In this delightful interview with Miriam on the wonder of books, she also offers some practical advice for first-time authors. If you're writing a memoir, for example, you need to complete the entire book before you pitch it to an agent. Publishing is a business, she says, and it's critical that you understand how to pitch your book - and...
Book Agent Miriam Altshuler on Effective Query Letters and Aspiring Authors
June 26, 2022 16:40 - 33 minutes - 46.1 MBNew York literary agent Miriam Altshuler looks for specific elements in a query letter. For starters, the query should not be longer than three paragraphs. In this delightful interview with Miriam on the wonder of books, she also offers some practical advice for first-time authors. If you're writing a memoir, for example, you need to complete the entire book before you pitch it to an agent. Publishing is a business, she says, and it's critical that you understand how to pitch your book - and...
Craft, Voice, and Concept - the Art of Memoir Writing
June 13, 2022 21:03 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MBThey say to write what you know. It’s no wonder there has been a surge in memoir writing. You know nothing better than yourself. As The Art of Memoir author, Mary Karr, said, “Anyone who’s lived can write one.” But to write a memoir that people want to read requires "craft, voice, and concept." In this episode, we interview Rob Lewis, a writer and editor with Journey Sixty6 who recently ghostwrote a memoir for an orthodox Jewish businessman. Rob walks us through the process of structuring th...
7 Self-Editing Questions to Improve Your Manuscript
May 25, 2022 16:14 - 45 minutes - 62.2 MBEvery writer who has ever stared at a blank screen (or page) has eventually had to lay down a first sentence. And then revise that sentence. Again and again. First drafts are just that - the first of many drafts to come. In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify seven self-editing questions to help you revise your manuscript. One question has to do with the passive voice: Do I use the passive voice too much? Of course, it's okay to use the passive voice occasionally, but it needs to be stra...
7 Self-Editing Questions to Improve Your Manscript
May 25, 2022 16:14 - 45 minutes - 62.2 MBEvery writer who has ever stared at a blank screen (or page) has eventually had to lay down a first sentence. And then revise that sentence. Again and again. First drafts are just that - the first of many drafts to come. In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify seven self-editing questions to help you revise your manuscript. One question has to do with the passive voice: Do I use the passive voice too much? Of course, it's okay to use the passive voice occasionally, but it needs to be stra...
What Happens after You Sign a Book Contract
May 09, 2022 13:05 - 42 minutes - 58.4 MBThe countdown begins, after you sign a contract with a publisher. There is a deadline. And, suddenly, there is an urgency to putting a period to your writing, if you haven't yet completed the manuscript. The process shifts from creative to production. In this interview with Dr. Jamie Weiner, he discusses the process of working with a traditional publisher. His book, The Quest for Legitimacy: How children of prominent families find their unique place in the world, releases in early summer. He...
7 Questions to Evaluate Your Book Idea
April 27, 2022 01:56 - 39 minutes - 54.6 MBEvery book that is published starts out as a raw, unformed idea in the mind of a writer. A companion of that initial idea is often an emotion: fear. Is my idea really good enough for an entire book? In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify seven questions to help writers evaluate whether their idea is book worthy. One question pertains to passion: Am I passionate enough about this idea to sustain my energy and focus to write 60,000 words? Aspiring writers will come away with some practical...
Do You Need a Writing Coach?
April 14, 2022 00:08 - 43 minutes - 59.8 MB"Book coach" is a category that for the most part didn't exist several decades ago. There was a literary agent. And the acquisitions editor at the publishing house. Between the two of them, writers found various kinds of help with their manuscript. Today, book coaches help writers with everything from goal setting to developmental editing to building their social media platforms and promoting their books. In this episode, we discuss the duties of an effective book coach and how to set and m...