Writer Rambles artwork

Writer Rambles

30 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago -

Want to know what it’s like living the glamorous indie author life? Tune in to Writer Rambles.

My first romantic fantasy novel, Atheist's Angel IS OUT NOW FOR PREORDER WORLDWIDE

Books Arts Education How To disability author books craft dyslexia edit editing publishing selfpublishing story
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Episodes

Guest- A.E BENNETT

April 10, 2022 19:19 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MB

The delightful Bennett joins me on the show to talk multi POV fantasy, character development and comets in the slightly insane 90s. Find Bennett's website here and on Instagram

Launching my next Book!

March 06, 2022 19:36

The mechanics of how to launch a book.

Promo Stacking

January 30, 2022 22:30 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MB

I finally have the data for my first big promo. Listen in to find out how it went.

Fine Tuning a Draft

December 05, 2021 22:01 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MB

How do you make sure your draft is as good as it can be? It's the finishing touches that make it sing. Check out my website's resources page at annavelfman.com for a copy of the draft polishing checklist. I also mention Overly Sarcastic Productions. Find them here

Upload with me

October 24, 2021 17:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

Listen to me put my third book out there into the world. This is how preorders are set up when you publish wide. Avalanche is available for preorder! Head to my shiny new book page to take a look Like what I do? You can support me on Patreon and help me keep this podcast going.

Edit with me

October 10, 2021 15:55 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MB

Recorded while I was in bed with covid attempting to edit. Join me as I get Avalanche ready for publication. I use pro writing aid and no, I have no sponsorship with them. 

Unpopular Writing Opinions

September 16, 2021 10:53 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MB

Reacting to unpopular writing opinions found on youtube. All opinions are expressed in a measured and constructive way with no personal bias. *ahem* For more steaming hot spicy takes, check out- Michelle Schusterman Kate Cavanaugh Alexa Donne   You won't regret it!   Don't forget my first book Snowblind is free to download on all platforms.

Plot Twist - How not to edit

August 15, 2021 15:52 - 20 minutes - 14 MB

The manuscript was meant to be finished... but my body was not having it. So how do you manage to keep going when your health decides it does not want to cooperate? That's what I experienced this week. Don't forget my first book Snowblind is free to download on all platforms. You will find writing coach Chad Allen here Angry Joe and AJS news you will find here

Confessions of a Writer Coffee Addict

August 01, 2021 14:25 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MB

A new type of show! Hear how I finish off the second edit of my third book- Avalanche. Also featuring- my dog, my cat and clips from Daniel Wallace and Jenna Moreci.  

Guest Show - Dyslexics that write books

June 12, 2021 12:45 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MB

  Andrew Nehring comes on the show to talk about his book- David Massie and the Quantum Flux and to discuss the joys and difficulties of writing with dyslexia.    You can find Andrew's work here

Using Scene Cards

May 09, 2021 10:02 - 33 minutes - 45.9 MB

In this episode, I go over how I use scene cards and how they have got me out of plotting pickles. Links- Scene Cards download My Website Sacha Black podcast Bookbub Ads David Gaughran Heroine's Journey- Gail Carraiger Fallen- C.N Crawford Outlining Podcast  

Guests- Writing Award Winning Novellas

March 29, 2021 09:35 - 50 minutes - 69.7 MB

This week I share the podcast with two winners of the Open Novella Contest: Rainer Salt and Evelyn Hail. We talk about inspiration, process and what it takes to win a place in a competition on one of the largest writing platforms in the world. Links- Daniel Wallace (Style and Voice Summit) Jeff Elkins (Dialogue Doctor) Evelyn Hail Rainer Salt  

Things I Hate Reading

March 07, 2021 21:20 - 32 minutes - 26.2 MB

Hate is a strong word but some things I read really set my teeth on edge. A different kind of podcast this time, no instructions or lessons, just me telling the world what I don't like. I had a rough week, the rant cheered me up. Oh as mention him this week you'll find Shad's youtube here  A reminder that my opinions are just that- my opinions. You don't have to agree with me, in fact, I encourage you not to- because reading is an individual experience for everyone.  (Some swearing in ...

Guest- A different way to publish

February 14, 2021 19:00 - 40 minutes - 32.5 MB

I welcome Kristi Elliot to the show. She is a Watty 2020 award winner with her horror-comedy Zombie Soap and she is about to publish her debut novel The Social Media Bride through a publisher that approached her after a Twitter pitch contest.   (Some swearing in this show)

Character Building

January 24, 2021 14:41 - 36 minutes - 38 MB

Grab a blank character profile from my website and start building characters focused on storytelling. Every main character should be a bundle of inner conflict, a push and pull between what they want and what they actually need. Characters with agency and authenticity require careful consideration and that is where profiling comes in. Is this the only way to create characters? No. Is it the way I find best? Yes, so I'm sharing.

Author of two books!

January 10, 2021 13:12 - 26 minutes - 27.2 MB

I have two books out, so how are my sales? I crack on with my self-publishing goals and start 2021 with a bang.

2021 Goals

December 05, 2020 20:11 - 23 minutes - 26.8 MB

I am back home! Improved sound quality and a round-up of my first year in self-publishing. The victories and the defeats. But ever onwards I go! Bring it on 2021, I am ready for you!

Outlining- My Preptober

November 01, 2020 20:28 - 37 minutes - 53 MB

Yes, the sound quality will still be poor as I am living most of the week away from home- but I wanted to get this out. I am doing NaNo this year for my third novel and I am often asked how I plan my work- like most things I do, there is a system behind it so that is what I am sharing today.

My Preptober

November 01, 2020 20:28 - 37 minutes - 52.7 MB

Yes, the sound quality will still be poor as I am living most of the week away from home- but I wanted to get this out. I am doing NaNo this year for my third novel and I am often asked how I plan my work- like most things I do, there is a system behind it so that is what I am sharing today.

Update and Book Two Done

October 03, 2020 15:44 - 36 minutes - 35.8 MB

I live! I have been off the grid for weeks but I kept writing in that time. I will tell you all about what has happened and what I am doing now I have finished Pler book two- Icedancer

First guest on Writer Rambles

July 29, 2020 17:50 - 34 minutes - 30.4 MB

I have invited fellow Roleplayer Hiedi onto the show to talk about how we approach character development and to highlight the benefits of this most gloriously nerdy form of collaborative storytelling.  

Bookbub and Editing

July 11, 2020 10:24 - 27 minutes - 29 MB

I am deep in the editing trenches, a few writers on Facebook have asked how I edit. Well, here is my process (and you will probably wish you had never asked.) I also go over how Bookbub changed my launch and how Amazon decided it wanted to change my prices.

Post Publication

June 27, 2020 11:47 - 19 minutes - 18.6 MB

So what does happen when you have pressed the publish button? LOTS! It's been busy days for me post-publication. Listen to find out why.

PUBLISHED!

June 09, 2020 14:33 - 21 minutes - 17.8 MB

It's done, my first book Snowblind is out for a short preorder period at 99p. Still made some mistakes! Tune in to learn what to expect after you hit the publish button.

Proofreading and Formatting

May 10, 2020 13:08 - 24 minutes - 23.3 MB

So close to getting my book out there! But a few more hurdles to jump before then. In this show, I go over my recent experiences with proofreading and formatting. Links in the show notes on my blog at https://www.annavelfman.com/post/proofreading-and-formatting

Crisis Writing and Developmental Editing

April 05, 2020 14:16 - 24 minutes - 21.7 MB

My book due for a November release is back from its Developmental Edit. Listen to find out about the feedback I got and if a developmental edit is right for you. Also, writing at a time of global crisis. How I got through the emotional mess and came out the other side by giving myself permission to do nothing. All links and samples in the show notes

The Great Book Experiment and Writing Software

March 13, 2020 20:21 - 25 minutes - 22.6 MB

I have news to share, I’m publishing double the books I intended to in 2020. Why? Well, I am conducting an experiment. I also tell you about the software I use in my writing process, the good and the bad of some of the most popular writing tools out there. Check out the show notes on my blog for links to everything I mention in the show.  

New Novel and Worldbuilding

February 28, 2020 20:42 - 40 minutes - 37.7 MB

In this show, I have big news about the cover for my upcoming book! I also talk about my latest WIP and my tips and sources of inspiration for worldbuilding. As usual, I am not sponsored by any of the products I mention, it’s simply things I have found useful.   https://www.notebook.ai/ - the best thing I have found! https://www.worldanvil.com/ - A close second but not for me. Remember my blogs and show notes can be found at https://www.annavelfman.com/

Developmental editing and Exposition

February 13, 2020 21:29 - 23 minutes - 27.3 MB

Developmental editing and Exposition- in this show I go into why I have decided to undertake a developmental edit, what that means for my writing and how I went about finding a reputable editor.    Then I discuss my struggles with exposition and how I eventually understood how to slay the dreaded info dump.  Show notes and links on my website Annavelfman.com

Hello Cherubs

January 26, 2020 11:55 - 27 minutes - 30.4 MB

Join me on my epic journey to publishing my first book that will kick off a dark and quirky paranormal romance series. In this show, I talk about my five biggest mistakes so far and give you a peep at my current progress. Huge shout out to small press good guys- Fox Spirit Books http://foxspirit.co.uk who gave me tough love when I needed it, and to Anya at http://www.thedisobedientwriter.com for her thought-provoking romance course.