Are you ready to take your author career to the next level? In this wide-ranging interview, Mark Dawson gives tips on how to level up your books, your email list, and your advertising. In the intro, good news on book sales from New Zealand post-lockdown [The Guardian], why Joe Rogan's podcast deal with Spotify is […] The post How To Take Your Author Career To The Next Level With Mark Dawson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

How can you create characters with unique and interesting flaws that lead into plots that will enliven your stories? In today's interview, Will Storr explains the science of storytelling. In the intro, German booksellers and the challenges of re-opening [The Bookseller], Facebook launches Shops meaning more opportunities for direct sales [The Verge], Facebook Live replay […] The post Writing Tips: How Character Flaws Shape Story With Will Storr first appeared on The Creative Penn.

What if you could do work you love, earn great money — and have a lifestyle you enjoy? In this interview, Elaine Pofeldt talks about businesses that are doing just that and gives tips on how to get there, including ways to make more money as an author. In the intro, I talk about Apple […] The post The 7-Figure One Person Creative Business With Elaine Pofeldt first appeared on The Creative Penn.

We all want to write the best book we can — but how can we make sure the story is strong enough to make it worthwhile writing in the first place? In this interview, Larry Brooks gives 4 criteria for a great story and 8 steps for your novel premise. In the introduction, FindawayVoices releases […] The post Great Stories Don’t Write Themselves: How To Develop Strong Fiction Ideas With Larry Brooks first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing short fiction can be useful for licensing and self-publishing income, or using them to grow your list and connect with readers. There are many more opportunities for shorts in the digital world and in today's interview, Matty Dalrymple gives plenty of ideas that you can use in your author business. In the intro, the […] The post Writing And Selling Short Fiction With Matty Dalrymple first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Is it possible to write together if you are partners in life as well as business? How can a community come together in the wake of difficulties? Plus, how podcasting can be an effective part of author marketing. All this and more in discussion with Jeff and Will from The Big Gay Fiction Podcast. In […] The post Writing And Working Together As A Creative Couple With Jeff Adams And Will Knauss first appeared on The Creative Penn.

How do you intentionally create an author brand that resonates with your readers? How can you write the books you love and make a successful living as a full-time author? All this and more in today's interview with Gail Carriger. In the introduction, I talk about some of the impacts of COVID19 on the publishing […] The post Building A Unique Author Brand With Gail Carriger first appeared on The Creative Penn.

How do you deal with fear and uncertainty during these difficult times? How can you craft a new creative routine when life is so disrupted? How can you make the most of an online business now and build for the future? I discuss all this and more with Mark McGuinness on today's show. In the […] The post How To Stay Creative In Difficult Times With Mark McGuinness first appeared on The Creative Penn.

What do you really care about? Rankings on Amazon or money in your bank account? In this interview, David Chilton shares how you can sell books in bulk to companies resulting in a big pay-day — but no ‘bestseller' tag. This is a fascinating discussion that will challenge your definition of success and — hopefully […] The post How To Sell Your Books In Bulk And Make More Money As An Author With David Chilton first appeared on The Creative Penn.

We are writers, but we are readers first! Many of us grew up in the corners of libraries and still spend our money on books from bookstores, but did you know that it is possible to get your books into libraries and bookstores as an independent author? Mark Leslie Lefebvre gives some tips in today's […] The post How To Get Your Book Into Libraries And Bookstores With Mark Leslie Lefebvre first appeared on The Creative Penn.