Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors

In this episode, J. and J.D. welcome indie mastermind Zach Bohannon to the show to discuss the growing similarities between indie and traditional publishing. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:What’s the deal with Audiblegate?The benefits of being a “hybrid” authorWhy traditional publishers are starting to value eBooksWhy indies are becoming more tolerant of traditional dealsThe importance of a mailing list when pursuing a trad dealThe role of subscription-based services in the future of publishingLinks:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Zach Bohannon - https://zachbohannon.com/Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SPECIAL EPISODE: J.D. and J. are live with author Susan May to discuss #audiblegate, a breaking news story about the ongoing controversy surrounding Audible’s audio book return policy.The Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/fairdealwithaudibleSusan May’s blog post - https://www.susanmaywriter.net/single-post/audiblegate-the-incredible-story-of-missing-salesFrom the Authors Guild - https://www.authorsguild.org/industry-advocacy/sign-our-letter-and-tell-audible-to-stop-charging-authors-for-returns/From the Alliance of Independent Authors - https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/media-releases/Links:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ *Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bestselling author Christopher Rice knows how to pursue multiple projects at once. By working on each project in different physical spaces and balancing the time spent on each, he breaks up the monotony of sticking to one book, makes himself more productive, and increases his writing and time management skills exponentially. Christopher is well-known for writing A Density of Souls, his bestselling debut novel, and Ramses The Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra, which he co-wrote with mother and fellow bestseller Anne Rice. He also runs The Dinner Party Show podcast with award-winning novelist Eric Shaw Quinn. His latest publication, Blood Victory, is available now.From Amazon.com:A New York Times bestseller since his first publication at the age of twenty-two, Christopher Rice is the author of BONE MUSIC (an Amazon Charts bestseller and the first novel in the Burning Girl series) and its sequel, BLOOD ECHO, as well as the Bram Stoker finalists THE HEAVENS RISE and THE VINES. BLOOD VICTORY, his third Burning Girl novel releases in August 2020. He is an executive producer on the television adaptation of The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, and he also collaborated with her on RAMSES THE DAMNED: THE PASSION OF CLEOPATRA, a sequel to her phenomenally popular novel THE MUMMY OR RAMSES THE DAMNED. Together with his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist, Eric Shaw Quinn, he runs the podcast and video network, TDPS, which you can find at www.TheDinnerPartyShow.com. Learn more about Christopher at www.christopherricebooks.com. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Christopher learned to multitask when writingWhy the early stages of the creative process are non-linearThe importance of podcasting platforms to authorsWhy every author needs a newsletterWhat to know when writing with your motherTo send J.D. an ARC copy of your new book, make sure you have the title available in ebook, paperback, and audio. Then mail him a physical copy at:J.D. BarkerP.O. Box 177New Castle, NH 03854Links:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Christopher Rice - http://www.christopherricebooks.com/A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice - https://mybook.to/densityofsoulsBlood Victory by Christopher Rice - https://mybook.to/bloodvictoryUpstairs Inferno Starring Christopher Rice - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3088882/The Dinner Party Show - Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Publicist Mickey Mikkelson specializes in gaining exposure and brand recognition. Using his independent firm, Creative Edge, he teaches indie authors around the world how to market their books, foster their own reader communities, and build sustainable brands. Mickey has worked in PR for almost five years and has helped bestselling authors like Tosca Lee and Robert J. Sawyer gain publicity. In addition to running Creative Edge, he is a regular collaborator with TopShelf, a popular must-read magazine for booksellers and authors that focuses on promoting and publishing. To contact Mikkelson, follow the link below.From Creative-Edge.services:“​At Creative Edge, we are a Team and a Community. The entire organization believes strongly in collaboration, the authors, myself, and the key partnerships we have developed. I am passionate about working in conjunction with my clients and finding innovative and creative ways to ensure that each represented client has promotional and marketing success.” -Mickey Mikkelson Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Mickey started Creative EdgeWhen to seek out a publicistWhy publicity doesn’t always equate to salesThe importance of having a “vision” for your bookDifferences between short-term and long-term growthLinks:An Important Letter from The Authors Guild - https://www.authorsguild.org/who-we-are/letter-president/J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Mickey Mikkelson - https://www.creative-edge.services/contact.htmlCreative Edge - https://www.creative-edge.services/TopShelf - https://topshelfmagazine.net/index.php/magazineProudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://kobowritinglife.com/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - https: Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stuart Bache has some tips for designing the perfect cover. As a professional cover artist, he helps traditional and indie authors around the world create covers that are visually appetizing, clearly represent the book’s genre and message, and market themselves well to potential readers. Stuart has been in the field for over a decade and has worked with Mark Dawson, Stephen King, and other big-name authors. He has a number of online resources, including his Books Covered design service and a mini-course on Self Publishing Formula. His book, The Author’s Guide to Cover Design, is also available below.From Amazon.com:With well over a decade of experience in both traditional and independent publishing, Stuart Bache started his career as a Junior Designer for Hodder & Stoughton, worked as Senior Designer for Puffin Books and HarperCollins, and was Art Director of Oneworld Publications. He has worked across every major genre for a whole host of publishers and authors, including Mark Dawson, Stephen King, John le Carré, S. K. Tremayne and the Tolkien Estate. Stuart is now the Art Director and founder of Books Covered, where he continues to create market-leading book covers for authors, agents and publishers. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Books Covered was formedWhy more indie authors are caring about their coversHow to formulate research into a designThe importance of strategically marketing your coverHow to compromise with a cover designerLinks:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Stuart Bache - https://stuartbache.co.ukBooks Covered - https://www.bookscovered.co.ukCover Design for Authors Course - https://selfpublishingformula.com/designThe Author’s Guide to Cover Design by Stuart Bache - https://mybook.to/coverdesignMusic by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bestseller Seth Godin has unlocked the secrets to finding mindfulness as a writer. Through various publications, workshops, and podcasts, he sheds light on mental concepts often overlooked in pursuit of a professional career and preaches the ideas of beating resistance, accepting genre, disregarding authenticity, and choosing passion rather than chasing it. Seth is a renowned author and entrepreneur with nineteen bestselling books and guides, an internationally recognized blog, and a spot in the Marketing Hall of Fame. His latest book, The Practice: Shipping Creative Work, will be available tomorrow.From Amazon.com:Seth Godin is the author of nineteen international bestsellers that have been translated into over 35 languages, and have changed the way people think about marketing and work. For a long time, Unleashing the Ideavirus was the most popular ebook ever published, and Purple Cow is the bestselling marketing book of the decade. He's a recent inductee to the Marketing Hall of Fame, and also a member of the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame and (go figure), the Guerrilla Marketing Hall of Fame. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Seth beats resistanceWhy to choose passion rather than chase itThe importance of defining your genreWhy authenticity is a lieHow to push through “the dip”Links:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Seth Godin - https://www.sethgodin.com/The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin - https://mybook.to/thepracticePurple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin - https://mybook.to/purplecowThis Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin - https://mybook.to/thisismarketingMusic by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.< Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Since creating Chanticleer Book Reviews in 2010, Kiffer Brown has provided thousands of authors with the exceptional reviews integral to the success of any book. Her services include editorial reviews, manuscript reviews, and peer reviews, which help writers structure their story, earn community appraisal, and expand sales on Amazon. Kiffer has worked in book marketing for over a decade and is involved in a plethora of local and national writing groups, hosts several writing conferences and book conventions, and has connections with authors around the world. To have Kiffer review your book or manuscript, visit chantireviews.com/services.From WritersWin.com:Media scout for literary agents, publishing houses, movie producers, and industry professionals, along with folks seeking a good read, Kiffer Brown is known for her instinct of picking winners. Reader Extraordinaire, she reads thousands of works a year searching for today’s sparkling gems that will become tomorrow’s best sellers. She truly loves what she does and her passion shows.Kiffer is also the founder ofChanticleer Book Reviews & Media. CBRM Discovers Today’s Best Books with Editorial Reviews and International Writing Competitions. In addition to running a professional editorial review service, she is the president of Whatcom Writers and Publishers, Salish Sea League of Writers board member, Upstart Crows Writers Assoc. founder, and member of Western Washington University’s publishing curriculum’s advisory board. She presents at numerous writers conferences and book conventions. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouses, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Chanticleer was createdWhy a good review will make or break your bookThe importance of gaining appraisal from fellow authorsThe difference between editorial, manuscript, peer, and consumer reviewsThe biggest mistake most authors make during the review processLinks:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Kiffer Brown - https://writerswin.com/kiffer-brown/Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media - https://www.chantireviews.com/services/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom Holbrook has been keeping bookstores alive since 2002, when he opened RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. By showcasing a variety of indie books, helping aspiring writers edit and sell their work, and hosting book signings and other events for smaller authors, Tom has made a healthy impact on his local indie scene and has kept the spirit of physical books alive in a world that is becoming increasingly virtual. Over nearly two decades of owning a bookstore, he has also written a few books of his own and has helped local indie authors publish many more. Fortunately, RiverRun has stood strong through the pandemic, a historically tough time for small businesses, and remains a staple of Portsmouth. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Tom created RiverRunWhy audiobooks aren’t as profitable for bookstoresWhy bookstores need to have “extras”The importance of assisting local indie authorsHow COVID has affected indie stores and writersLinks:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Tom Holbrook - riverrunbookstore@gmail.comRiverRun Bookstore - https://riverrunbookstore.com/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former cop Patrick O’Donnell is dedicated to helping writers accurately depict local PD in their books and novels. In his informational series, Cops and Writers: From The Academy to The Street, Patrick teaches authors about the fundamentals of a crime scene, the departmental ranking system, and a variety of small but important details for making your cops come to life. O’Donnell recently retired after serving in Chicago and Wisconsin for twenty-five years and is now focusing on building his website, copsandwriters.com, and continuing to grow his aforementioned series. To join his Facebook group, an awesome online resource with accomplished authors and other former cops answering the genre’s biggest questions, follow the link below.From CopsandWriters.com:Looking to add an authentic edge to your crime fiction? Ride along with me, a real-life sergeant to give your story the accuracy your readers crave. My name is Patrick O’Donnell, and I’ve been with a large metropolitan police department for the last twenty-four years, seventeen of those as a street sergeant. That means I’ve been a supervisor on the street for the bulk of my career. The city I work in has a population of about 600,000 people who are policed by about 1,800 sworn members, give or take a few hundred. I’m also an author of fiction and non-fiction books. I do understand the unique author point of view and can see through your writer's eyes. Ride along with me, Sergeant O'Donnell for the law enforcement details that will give your story street cred. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How O’Donnell became a copHis craziest true crime storiesWhat authors get wrong about copsThe differences between the PD and PIsThe various ranks of a police departmentLinks:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Patrick O’Donnell - https://www.copsandwriters.com/Cops and Writers: From The Academy to The Street by Patrick O’Donnell - https://mybook.to/copsandwritersCops and Writers Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Chr Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Betsy Glick can help you write the perfect crime novel. Through an accessible and free author program, Betsy and her team work to provide authors with declassified info, public documents, connections to local offices, and interviews with retired agents in an effort to craft the most accurate stories possible. Glick works in the Office of Public Affairs and has been with the FBI for over fifteen years. In addition to helping writers, her office works with hundreds of TV and movie producers every year and has aided in the production of Quantico, Mindhunter, and many more shows and films. Their latest documentary project, The FBI Declassified, premieres this month. If you’re interested in bringing your next book to Betsy and her office, contact her via email.From Personal Bio:Glick works with screenwriters, authors, producers and other media associated with television programs, documentaries, made-for-TV movies, books, motion pictures and special projects, to help foster authenticity about the FBI. She recently organized a “Writing G-Man Stories Rooted in Reality” workshop for novelists attending the International Thriller Writers annual gathering in Manhattan. The FBI public service announcements she created for Internet Crime, Child ID App, Active Shooter, and the Most Wanted program with CBS have reached 130 million+ viewers since 2018, according to Nielsen. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:Betsy’s funniest FBI momentHow you can contact her officeWhat makes a crime novel accurateThe common FBI myths that every crime writer should knowWhy truth is sometimes stranger than fictionLinks:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Betsy Glick - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petsketcherandmediafetcher FBI page for writers - https://www.fbi.gov/portrayals The FBI Declassified Teaser - https://www.cbsnews.com/video/news-series-the-fbi-declassified/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.