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

Alma Katsu is an expert at writing historical horror. Armed with her chilling writing style and an extensive knowledge of historical events, she adds a unique supernatural twist to the past. Alma is best known for her novels The Taker and The Hunger, the latter of which prompted a blurb from Stephen King on Twitter. Katsu worked in federal intelligence for most of her life and is currently a technology consultant.From Amazon.com:Ms. Katsu's debut novel, The Taker, was selected by Booklist as one of the top 10 debut novels of 2011. She is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Writing Program and Brandeis University, where she studied with novelist John Irving, and an alumni of the Squaw Valley Writers Conference. Like many writers, she has a day job, too: for over 30 years, she was an intelligence analyst for the federal government and RAND, and is currently a consultant on emerging technology.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 Stephen King’s tweet changed Katsu’s careerHow Katsu crafts historically accurate thrillersThe value of a great editorWhy it’s important to make connections with other authorsWhy “getting published” isn’t validationHow to find your unique voiceLinks:Alma Katsu - https://www.almakatsubooks.com/The Taker (Book 1/3) - https://books2read.com/TheTakerThe Hunger - https://books2read.com/TheHungerJ. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.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.

Josh Malerman has a unique approach to storytelling and the creative process. During the process of selling the rights to the Bird Box movie, Malerman learned the ins-and-outs of the entertainment industry. He even started his own production company. Josh toured the country for six years with his band, The High Strung, but has since taken a break to write and enjoy life with his wife in Michigan.From Amazon.com:Josh Malerman is an American author and also one of two singer/songwriters for the rock band The High Strung, whose song "The Luck You Got" can be heard as the theme song to the Showtime show "Shameless." His book Bird Box is also currently being filmed as a feature film starring Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, and Sarah Paulson. Bird Box was also nominated for the Stoker Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the James Herbert Award. His books Black Mad Wheel and Goblin have also been nominated for Stoker Awards.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 Bird Box changed Malerman’s careerWhen to take calculated business risksWhy every author needs a support groupWhy you shouldn’t save your best story ideas for laterHow to be fluid with story structureWhen and why to restart a draftLinks:Josh Malerman - https://joshmalerman.com/ Bird Box (novel) - https://books2read.com/birdboxnovel Bird Box (official trailer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2AsIXSh2xo The High Strung - https://thehighstrungmusic.com/ J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.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.

Traditional and Independent Publishing with Hugh HoweyFew authors have had as much success in both the traditional and independent publishing world as Hugh Howey. Since the launch of WOOL, Howey is an innovator with a unique voice. He is a brilliant fiction writer who, with the help of his agent, has negotiated publishing deals that were previously thought impossible. Hugh lives on a 50-foot catamaran while he sails around the world and this interview comes to you from the shores of Tahiti.From Amazon.com:Hugh Howey is the author of the award-winning Molly Fyde saga and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling WOOL series. The WOOL OMNIBUS won Kindle Book Review's 2012 Indie Book of the Year Award -- it has been as high as #1 on Amazon -- and 40 countries have picked up the work for translation. Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian are adapting the work for 20th Century Fox.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:Why storytelling is meant to be a collaborative processWhat it means to be at liberty with languageHow an agent can have a tremendous impact on your careerWhy self-publishing and traditional publishing can complement each otherThe importance of self-publishing before pursuing the traditional pathWhy you should ignore the stigma of being independentWhy experienced and accomplished writers need to help beginnersLinks:Hugh Howey - http://www.hughhowey.com/J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.comVoice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact us - 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.

A Pivot on Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. ThornAlthough just beginning the process, the guys introduce a pivot on pursuing a traditional publishing deal. J.D. looked through THE LAST TOWER and realized that the manuscript could be improved, but not without significant work to get it to the point where agents and editors would pay attention. Faced with a difficult decision, J. decides to table the manuscript for now and head in a different direction.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:Why THE LAST TOWER wasn’t J.’s best option at the momentHow passive voice and showing (vs. telling) can be problematicWhy you must start your story with a great hook that gets a reader’s attentionThe ways in which J.D. has “broken the rules” in chapter 1How Hugh Howey’s WOOL is the gold standard for grabbing a reader from the startWhy J. doesn’t fret over wordsThe problem with chasing trends when pursuing a traditional publishing dealWhat New York editors are chasing at the momentWhy so many thrillers now have the word “girl” in the titleThe importance of vetting book ideas with someone you trustWhat the latest K-lytics’ report says about the horror genreHow J.D. keeps his story ideas organizedWhy combining two story ideas might create something uniqueWhy J.D. starts a story with a plane crash (hypothetical, of course)Links:K-lytics - http://k-lytics.com/ J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.comVoice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact us - 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.

Pursuing a Traditional Publishing Deal with J. ThornJ. Thorn has published more than two million words of fiction and is an official member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. Thorn is a full-time writer, part-time professor at John Carroll University, co-owner of Molten Universe Media, podcaster, FM radio DJ, musician, and a certified Story Grid nerd.In episode 2 of Writers, Ink, the tables are turned as J.D. interviews J. about his desire to secure a traditional publishing deal for his manuscript, THE LAST TOWER. J.D. drops knowledge bombs in this conversation which is sure to enlighten authors at any stage of their journey.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:The exciting, new, unplanned segment of Writers, Ink.How J. became the show’s guinea pigWhy after 10 years as an indie, why J. wants to pursue a traditional dealWhat J. did when he stopped getting rejections from agentsWhy THE LAST TOWER is the manuscript J. wants to queryJ.D.’s position on indie vs. traditionalHow J.D. kept Barnes & Noble honestWhen J.D. reads paper and when he reads on his KindleThe leverage Hugh Howey used to get a traditional publishing dealWhat J. did to prepare for Pitchfest at ThrillerfestThings that turn agents off in the querying processWhat Stepen King taught J.D. about point of viewTools J.D. uses to improve his manuscriptsLinks:Manuscript formatting - https://www.scribophile.com/academy/how-to-format-a-novel-manuscript Autocrit - http://autocrit.com J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.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.

What it Takes to be an International Bestselling Author with J.D. BarkerJ.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.In episode 1 of Writers, Ink, J. interviews J.D. about what it takes to become an international bestselling author. The two writers discuss the pursuit of traditional publishing and how to become an independent author.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 J.D. can write two different books at the same timeWhen J.D. writes his 3,000 words a dayAdvice J.D. implemented from Dean Koontz and James PattersonHow writing with James Patterson has changed J.D.’s mind on outlinesWhat J.D. says to new writers he mentorsThe only two books on writing J.D. uses on a regular basisHow J.D. helped Dacre Stoker turn the corner on DraculWhy J.D. hired professional cover designers, editors, and proofreaders for his self-published booksWhy J.D. talks to his agent, Kristin Nelson, as much as his wifeWhat traditional publishers can do that independents can’tHow J.D. approaches the business of writingWhat J.D. still does day-to-dayWhat J.D. thinks is on the near horizon for the publishing industryLinks:Nelson Literacy Agency - https://nelsonagency.com/The Fourth Monkey - https://books2read.com/fourthmonkey Dracul - https://books2read.com/draculnovelJ. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.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/ 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.

A New Podcast for WritersJ.D. and J. met at Thrillerfest in New York City and developed an instant connection around the love of dark fiction, podcasting, introversion, and helping other authors navigate the business of writing.Both Barker and Thorn have an extensive background in author education and mentoring, therefore a new podcast seemed like the perfect venture in which to join forces and help struggling writers become career authors.Welcome to the show!Links:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.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/ Links:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/Music by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.comRecorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ 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.