London Writers' Salon

​​In this episode, Selina Lim, BAFTA-nominated screenwriter (Sex Education, Hanna) shares her screenwriting journey from her first BBC script to earning a BAFTA nomination, and how she broke into the industry as an outsider. Selina also gives us a peek at the inner workings of a writers’ room on hit TV shows - including the roles, exercises they use, and how writers collaborate inside it. We deconstruct what it takes to write a great scene, including sex scenes, what it means to write authentic dialogue and the importance of knowing our characters. *ABOUT SELINA LIMSelina is a BAFTA and BIFA nominated screenwriter currently writing on series 3 of Sex Education (Eleven/Netflix) and season 3 of Hanna (Amazon/NBC) and has previously written for Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures/Channel 4) and was in the writers’ room for The Night Manager Series 2 (The Ink Factory/AMC).*SHOW NOTES[02:42] Selina talks about how she became one of the Sex Education writers and her experience of being in an online writers' room[07:22] How she started as a screenwriter[13:24] The dynamics in a writers' room[17:01] How to understand a character's role in your story and why it’s important to know your characters really well[19:45] How a writers’ room function, how writers ideate and collaborate[22:14] Writing a scene and knowing the bigger picture[27:08] Creating a scene's structure,  why she believes you should "write drunk, edit sober", and showing instead of telling[29:32] On writing sex scenes [32:14] What makes good and authentic dialogue?[33:34] Selina shares what helps her understand her character more[36:04] Dealing with self-doubt*QUOTES FROM SELINA LIM“What is the work that the scene is doing? Why is it there? You have to ask so you know what emotional beat you are hitting.” *RESOURCES:Connect with Selina Lim:Website: selinalim.co.ukTwitter: https://twitter.com/muppet0013Instagram: instagram.com/selinalim888Links from the show:Instagram picture we mention at the start of the show TV Shows mentioned:HANNASex EducationSuccessionThe Night ManagerOthersPlaying Ball - a  short written by Selina for BBCPainkiller - a 15-minute short film*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

How does a poet see the world? How can we move past self doubt and keep writing after rejection? In this episode we talk to Anthony Anaxagorou about how his journaling practice helps him generate ideas for his work, what his editing process looks like, and why he might spend eight or nine hours working on a single poem. Anthony is candid about his experience of failure and rejection, shares why we should be wary of the temptations of ‘prize culture’ (always seeking validation through the next prize), and why it’s crucial to develop our own internal value system to sustain ourselves and our writing. He even reads us some of his poetry!*ABOUT ANTHONY ANAXAGOROUAnthony Anaxagorou is a British-born Cypriot poet, fiction writer, essayist, publisher and poetry educator. His second collection After the Formalities was shortlisted for the 2019 T.S Eliot Prize. He was awarded the 2019 H-100 Award for writing and publishing, and the 2015 Groucho Maverick Award for his poetry and fiction. He’s the founder of one of London's leading poetry nights, Out-Spoken, and the independent publisher Out-Spoken Press.*SHOW NOTES[03:22] The experience of writing a book during the pandemic[04:41] Anthony talks about his uncle and how he influenced him as a writer[08:07] On failures and why it's important to ask yourself searching questions and see rejection as part of your job[11:48] What is prize culture and why does Anthony think it's dangerous?[14:06] Measuring success and creating your own value system[15:04] Anthony reads his poem, "Uber"[18:31] On being dissatisfied with his own work [21:53] On why he carrys a notebook with him all the time, and a writing habit he got from Lydia Davis[22:34] Anthony’s morning writing exercise[24:15] Anthony talks about his writing process, including 7-8 hours of focusing on one poem[27:43] How do you stop feeling intimidated by the academic side of poetry?[31:32] Anthony reflects on what "pushing your writing as far as it can go" means to him[34:32] Anthony shares the exercises he gives to his students to help them in writing a poem[36:38] What is the loaf of bread analogy, and why is playing with timelines when you write essential?[37:40] Resolving the poem and the idea of leaving the reader with questions[39:15] How do you know when a poem is done? [43:33] On being in conversation with the reader and why the writer is only half the conversation[46:13] Anthony shares how he started his London-based Out-Spoken open mic nights [49:44] Anthony reads his poem, "After the Formalities"*QUOTES BY ANTHONY:“The more you read, the more you get a sense for how poems work. And it's literally just from reading and you get a sense of where things end and where is an interesting place to end. If you think along the lines of—if you think the word interesting as opposed to kind of definitive. Then it kind of—it swaps. I just want to be interesting on the page. I don't want to be correct. I don't want to be certain. I want to be interesting.”*RESOURCES:Connect with Anthony:Twitter: @Anthony1983Facebook: anthonyanaxWebsite: anthonyanaxagorou.com*Links from the show:After the Formalities by Anthony AnaxagorouHow To Write It by Anthony AnaxagorouSuppose a Sentence by Brian DillonUber by Anthony AnaxagorouAfter the Formalities by Anthony Anaxagorou*Authors/Poets mentioned:Don PatersonTa-Nehisi CoatesEmily DickinsonOcean VuongMatthew SweeneyJericho BrownFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

We have published 10 episodes and we realised that we had never really introduced ourselves…So, we’re going to talk a little about where we’ve come from and why the London Writers’ Salon exists and what this podcast means to us.  We’re going to do this by interviewing each other!*ABOUT  MATT AND PARULMatt Trinetti and Parul Bavishi are the co-founders of the London Writers' Salon (@WritersSalon) and the creators of the Webby-nominated Writers' Hour where they write with hundreds of writers every week day. The Salon began as an in-person monthly interview series in central London and has since evolved to become a global community. In addition to the daily Writers' Hours, they host weekly interviews with writers and run workshops to help writers get published. They have partnered with organisations like Soho House, Allbright and Women's Prize for Fiction.Matt Trinetti is a writer, publisher, TEDx speaker, and facilitator. In addition to running LWS, Matt designs programs to help unfulfilled professionals pursue creative work, start businesses, and reinvent their careers. Matt's work has appeared in Quartz, Observer, Creative Mornings, and on his blog GiveLiveExplore.Parul Bavishi has been an editor for over a decade. In addition to running LWS she helps thriller, YA and non-fiction writers level up their craft and get published.  She previously worked as an editor and literary scout at Quercus and Random House.*RESOURCES AND LINKS:For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comEscape the City*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSArtwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

During times of enormous change, how can you harness the power of ritual to create stability and creativity? How can ordinary practices, such as writing, help us find meaning and cultivate deeper spiritual lives? We talk to author Casper Ter Kuile (The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices) about the difference between habit and ritual and how to turn habits into meaningful rituals. We explore Casper’s journey in publishing, how he moved past the first draft and his practices for overcoming the pitfalls of comparison. *Casper ter Kuile is the author of The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices, co-host of the award-winning podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, and co-founder of startup Sacred Design Lab - a research and design consultancy working to create a culture of belonging and becoming. *SHOW NOTES[03:18] Casper talks about his 24-hour tech sabbatical and why rest isn't just about preparing us for the workweek[07:45] Why Casper, an atheist, was drawn to Harvard Divinity School to study and the surprising pull of community, ritual and tradition in the religious community[11:18] How his observation of the growing disaffiliation from religion and the fraying of our connections with each other led him to explore the power of ritual[13:11] The difference between habit and ritual and how to turn habits into  meaningful rituals[15:51] Why we should develop our ability to be choiceful[17:23] An observation of connection practices during the pandemic, including the absence of ritual[19:57] Applying the triptych: intention, attention, and repetition to his writing[22:23] Casper talks about moving past a terrible first draft of his book, The Power of Ritual, and how he landed his book deal[27:14] How Casper deals with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, including going on long walks[29:25] Casper shares how he balanced researching and studying while he was writing his first book, also how he deals with the pitfalls of comparison[31:13] Casper shares advice from Seth Godin for when you're having self-doubt[32:43] On how to move away from introspection, and writing not just as something to make you great, but as a gift[35:08] Casper shares how accountability is important in creating practices in new communities[36:14] How to both hold on and let go of a growing community[38:23] Casper shares the origin of his podcast with friends, Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, and the community it built[41:50] What are the things that started and changed as the podcast community grew, and how did it even bring the community closer?[44:44] A parting note - understanding the sufficiency of the gift that you have to give*QUOTES:“Think of writing, not as something that is going to make you great, but as a gift to someone who might need it."*RESOURCESThe Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices by Casper Ter KuileHarry Potter and the Sacred Text podcastSeth GodinThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelHarperOneHow We Gather - Casper’s co-written paperDavid SedarisVanessa  Zoltan*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comFollow London Writers’ Salon:Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

How might we launch our newsletter and build a loyal following for our writing? How can we monetize our newsletter to six figures and beyond? In this episode, we interview Polina Marinova Pompliano who quit her job at Fortune in 2020 to focus on building her weekly Substack newsletter The Profile, where she profiles interesting figures like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Brandon Stanton, the creator of Humans of New York. We talk about tactics for growing a loyal and paying readership, how she develops ideas for her newsletter and the importance of feedback to improve our writing.*Polina Marinova is a former Fortune Magazine editor and writer, and founder of newsletter The Profile where she studies the world's most successful people & companies. She’s written for CNN, CNN Travel, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Boston Herald, Food & Wine Magazine, Odyssey, The Hustle and more. Polina is part of an emerging trend of writers who are looking ahead to the future of media and content and considering what it might take to start a media company on their own terms.*SHOW NOTES[02:39] Polina shares what gave her the courage to quit her job at The Fortune and dedicate her time to The Profile despite the pandemic and why you only need 100 true fans[06:42] Polina shares how she's become good at time management over the years, and how she stays productive[09:06] The importance of sharing your work with the public and opening yourself up to criticism and feedback as a writer[11:56] How Polina deals with feedback today versus how she dealt with it in the past[13:00] What Polina learned from writing articles and getting feedback, and how she used them to get more readers[15:33] Polina talks about her relationship dynamic with her husband who's also a writer, and how their differences help her get a business perspective for her newsletter[21:07] Polina shares the tools and systems that have helped her to be better at writing[27:42] The challenges Polina encounters in writing newsletters and what keeps her writing [29:15] Polina shares some newsletters that inspired her, including James Clear's blog[30:51] The business side of The Profile: how Polina grew her newsletter, and how she focused on quality content[31:58] Monetizing The Profile, and what made Polina’s readers convert to a paid subscription[34:09] Polina shares some of the ways she earns from The Profile[37:07] Why you don't need a massive following to monetize your work[37:33] Polina talks about her future goal of building a human interest company[38:32] The future of newsletters and why it's the perfect time to be a writer right now[41:30] On dealing with self-doubt and criticisms, and why patience and consistency is important if you want to start a newsletter*QUOTES:“So I think a lot of times people think they need this massive, massive following to monetize anything. It's not true. As long as you can prove that the audience is really high quality and really engaged and they actually click and they actually open, and they actually read it.”“The best piece of advice I heard was from Kat Cole, who's the president of Focus Brands. She said that every time you get a piece of feedback, the first thing you should do before you reject it—before you think it’s stupid is accept it and try and be like, okay, if this is true, then what can I do about it?...Accept it as truth before you outright dismiss it. Because after a while, that was not the only email I got like that. I got a number of them that were very critical, but it made me have thicker skin. It made me evolve in my writing. And by the end of my time there, I'd like to think that my voice, my tone, how I wrote, [the] people really liked because it was me and I wasn't trying to be somebody else.”*RESOURCESThe ProfileFortune Magazine - an American multinational business magazineThe Messy Middle by Scott The Messy Middle by Scott BelskyMaria Popova - Bulgarian writerChefs Table - Grant Achatz EpisodeSingle Supplement newsletter - Nikola SlawsonNFTs and a Thousand True Fans - Article from a16z.com (Andreessen Horowitz’s website)Sara Blakely - Founder of SpanxShane Parrish - Author, founder of Farnam StreetAtomic Habits by James ClearJosh Wolfe - Investor, founder of Lux CapitalBusiness Insider - American news websiteThe Hustle - NewsletterBessemer Venture Partners - American venture capital firmThe Washington Post - American daily newspaperThe New York Times - American daily newspaperThe Wall Street Journal - American business-focused, English-language international daily newspaperBrandon Stanton - Author of Humans of New York*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comFollow London Writers’ Salon:Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

How do we, as writers, turn raw emotions and observations into fiction? In this episode we interview Diana Evans (Ordinary People, 26a) about her creative process, how she discovered her true voice and how she creates characters. We also discuss practices that help Diana with writer's block, why she treats writing as a job and the importance of having other people read your work and being a part of a writing community. *SHOW NOTES[03:32] How music influences Diana's writing and how John Legend's soundtrack influenced her book Ordinary People[07:22] The messy journey Diana went through to discover her voice and what she does and doesn't want to write about, which began in journaling[10:43] Diana shares some of her practises to help her with writer's block, including reading poetry, leaving your work for a while, and forcing her way through writing[12:38] On treating writing as a job, and some of Diana's writing rules and habits like having a schedule and not beating yourself up when you don't meet your target[19:07] Diana shares why she distances herself from the characters and the world she's writing about[20:41] How Diana's peers helped improve her writing and how sometimes, the simplest way to write and tell a story is actually the easiest way[23:05] The importance of having other people read your work, and being a part of a writing community[25:39] Diana’s writing philosophy, the importance of journaling and why it's our responsibility to write about our experiences[28:00] Diana shares her creative process, and how white American authors writing about ordinary life inspired her to do the same for her book, Ordinary People[31:12] How Diana come up with her book characters, including writing down lists and brainstorming[34:40] Why planning everything is important for Diana, and why she prefers that her writing is led by a character and what the character is experiencing[37:44] Our responsibility as readers and writers in documenting the world around us*QUOTES: “I think journalism, journaling rather, it's quite important for just recording things. I think it's, it's our responsibility as writers actually, to comment on the world and to reflect the world around us, whether that's historically or today because we are mouthpieces of society.”“And I feel that there is so much in the world that is real and alive, and that is happening both in my life and around me, in the lives I see around me that is, you know, rich in story and in drama. I'm really not a world builder. I'm a world observer.I investigate the world and try and analyze it, and encapsulate human life. So that's where the writing comes from, but in order to achieve a distance, I have to kind of place myself in a position that is somehow apart from the characters and the world that I'm writing about. So I have to find a way to do that in order to tell the story."*RESOURCESDiana's Books:Ordinary PeopleThe Wonder26aBook awards mentioned:The Guardian and Commonwealth Best First Book awardsWomen's Prize for Fiction - Orange AwardWomen's Prize for Fiction - Discoveries AwardBooks mentioned:The Emperor's Children by Claire MessudAuthors mentioned:John UpdikeJames SalterRichard YatesOthers:Song: Ordinary People by John LegendSinger: Michael Jackson44th president of the United States: Barack ObamaDiana Evans’ Harper's Bazaar article*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comFollow London Writers’ Salon:Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Can creativity and money go hand in hand? How can we guarantee that we pay ourselves a profit no matter how much we earn? In this episode we talk to Mike Michalowicz about his Profit First method that helps creatives manage their money better, pay themselves well, and make a profit. We also talk about guerilla marketing strategies, connecting with your readership and how to build your confidence. *Mike is the author and creator of Profit First, a methodology used by hundreds of thousands of companies across the globe to drive profit. Profit First is a perennial global Top 20 Book, in the category of Personal & Business Finance (Publishers Weekly) and has transformed readers’ lives. Mike is the author of Fix This Next, Clockwork, Surge, The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. Simon Sinek calls Mike Michalowicz  “the patron saint of entrepreneurs.”SHOW NOTES[05:26] On being considered as the patron saint of entrepreneurs by ‘Start With Why’ author, Simon Sinek, and how Mike built a relationship with him[08:31] Mike shares how he lost everything and how it became his purpose to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty and pursue his dream of becoming an author[11:37] How journaling became an outlet for Mike to address his depression and a source for ideas for his book[14:30] Mike's dream of being an author and how to qualify the naysayers[16:40] Mike shares how he went from having 20,000 copies of his books and zero sales to selling a hundred thousand copies using guerrilla tactics[18:46] Mike shares his ultimate hack for freelancers, writers, creatives to be permanently profitable[24:43] On doing different and why we should overcome our fear of rejection and being an outsider[25:56] What does it mean to pay yourself first? And why it became Mike's ethos for his book Profit First[32:48] Other key tenants of the Profit First system, including what he calls the five foundational accounts[37:52] On why it's our responsibility to share our work and ask people to consume what we have[42:34] Life's mission as the ultimate motivator, and how we can use our pain to help you reach your goals[47:01] Mike shares how he uses pain and pleasure to manage his finances, and the difference between denial and delay[49:34] Mike's battle with self-doubt, why reaching out to your followers—no matter how small—is important, and the recipe for confidence*QUOTES FROM MIKE “So many authors, poets, writers are simply just trying to scratch by, to survive and therefore they can't give their best. There's this constant worry. They're going to sleep, not thinking about their next great creation. They're going to sleep saying, “Holy shit, how am I going to eat tomorrow?”  To give our best, we must make sure that we're satisfied that we're served and protected. And that's what profitability does. It allows you to protect yourself. So our clients, our readers thirst for that. So you have to be profitable. The technique to do this is the pay yourself first principle. Apply it to your business. Every time you have income coming in from the work you sell, you subtract a predetermined percentage of that money as profit, hide it from yourself and then run your work off the remainder. And what this does is it starts accumulating profit...”RESOURCESMentioned books of Mike MichalowiczProfit FirstThe Toilet Paper EntrepreneurFix This NextClockworkSurgeThe Pumpkin PlanBooks mentioned:Start with Why by Simon SinekCrushing It by Gary VaynerchukThe Five Love Languages by Gary ChapmanOthers:Julia Cameron's Morning PagesTim Ferris - Entrepreneur, investor, author, podcaster, and lifestyle guruYanik Silver - Author, entrepreneurPay Yourself First principleParkinson's Law*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonCREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

What does it take to launch your book and build a fanbase? What do most writers misunderstand about the craft of writing and launching their book? Tim Grahl has dedicated the last 10 years of his life helping over 100 authors – from bestsellers to first time writers – get their books into the hands of more readers. In this episode we talk about smart and authentic marketing steps every writer can take to find their first 1000 readers and give their book a chance of reaching the bestselling lists. We also dive into Tim's memoir Running Down a Dream and talk about writing about devastation and grief.Tim Grahl has worked with authors like Dan Pink, Ramit Sethi, Shawn Coyne, Pamela Slim, Dan and Chip Heath and has launched dozens of books to the top of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other bestseller lists. He also runs  The Story Grid podcast, where he had his own book edited live by editor Shawn Coyne. Tim has written books on building an audience: Your First 1000 Copies; on building a business: Running Down a Dream, He has also been the architect behind the hugely successful Story Grid writing community and works with Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne at Black Irish Publishing.*SHOW NOTES[03:46] Tim talks about the vulnerability of being critiqued live on The Story Grid podcast with Editor Shawn Coyne[09:38] How to build the right audience, and the benefits of learning in public for accountability[12:12] How a successful book launch always starts with a good plan[12:23] What went wrong with The Threshing's launch, and the things Tim did right to market The Sand and Sea (280,000-word epic fantasy) [15:38] Why it's harder to get people to read a book than buy one, and what Tim and his team did to sell The Sand and Sea[19:38] Building an email list as the number one marketing tactic sell and promote your book[23:51] The importance of building a habit and why being consistent is better than doing one big push on anything that you do[26:22] Tim's advice for those who are trying to build their email list, and why you should treat the process as an adventure. Plus how to get your first 100 subscribers.[30:56] The value of being consistent in whatever you do[32:25] Tim's definition of marketing[34:07] The story behind Tim's memoir, Running Down a Dream, the dream he was running down and how it's evolved over time*QUOTES FROM TIM GRAHL“If you see any books that are still selling ten years after they came out, it's not because the publishing house did an amazing job marketing the book ten years ago. I think of it as a rocketship. If you turn off the engine when it's halfway out of that atmosphere, it's going to crash down to earth every single time. So if you can just get it out of the atmosphere, now we can see if it's going to live on its own. And that's how I think of marketing a book is the job of the publisher / author is to get that book out of the atmosphere. And the goal is to get 10,000 people to read the book. At that point, you find out if the book's going to fly on its own because, again, I can force 10,000. I can't force a million or five hundred thousand or a hundred thousand.”*RESOURCESStory Grid Podcast by Shawn Coyne and Tim GrahlRunning Down A DreamBook LaunchMentioned authors:Dan PinkRamit SethiPamela SlimDan and Chip HeathRyan HolidayJames ClearSteven PressfieldJeff GoinsMentioned books of Tim Grahl:Your First 1000Running Down A DreamThe ThreshingOther books mentioned:Tales of Iceland by Stephen MarkelySave The Cat! By Robert MckeeMachine Man by Max BarryThe Sand and Sea by Michael McClellanThe War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle by Steven PressfieldAtomic Habits by James ClearThe Amazing Scrolls of Wonder by M.J. ThomasThe Dip by Seth GodinAnything You Want by Derek SiversOthers:Hugh MacLeod - author and cartoonistConvertKit - a marketing platformMatt's blog post where he mentioned Chris Guillebeau's booksSong: Runnin’ Down a Dream by Tom PettyDerek Sivers’ CD BabyJoe Rogan's podcastElizabeth Gilbert - journalist and author*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Benjamin Hardy’s articles have been read by over 100 million readers. He has also been the #1 writer, in the world, on Medium.com. How does he do it? In this episode, he shares his writing process and how he plans, structures and ships his articles. We also talk about why it’s important to set the right goals to help us reach our most courageous dreams, how our goals shape our identity and personality, and the importance of the environment in achieving our goals.*Dr Benjamin Hardy (@BenjaminPHardy) is an organizational psychologist, bestselling author and the world’s leading expert on the application of the Future Self science. His books include Be Your Future Self Now, The Gap and the Gain, Willpower Doesn’t Work and Personality Isn’t Permanent. His blogs have been read by over 100 million people and are featured on Forbes, Fortune, CNBC and many others. He is a regular contributor to Inc. and Psychology Today and from 2015-2018, he was the #1 writer, in the world, on Medium.com. *SHOW NOTES[02:47] How we underpredict our future selves [04:15] How Ben clarified his goal to become a professional writer and land a six-figure book deal[06:55] How Ben used Medium to grow his email list from 0 to 400k [10:05] Ben’s systems and processes to create consistently popular articles[14:47] Ben's writing process and how he plans, structures and ships his articles[17:30] On using Medium vs LinkedIn.[19:18] On repurposing an article for two different platforms[27:50] What does it mean to orient our lives towards our goals? From LeBron to watching Youtube late at night[31:26] How James Clear’s goal led him to sell 2 million copies of Atomic Habits [33:40] The importance of environment in changing your life and achieving your goals[39:35] Why being useful is important, and how you can get what you want by helping other people[40:51] Resources for crafting good headlines[44:29] Why ‘empathetic witnesses’ can encourage you to write, publish and more*QUOTES FROM BEN HARDY“...most people think that who they are today is who they're gonna be in the future. So their future self actually isn't imagined far different. They think that their future self is going to kind of pretty much be the same person that they are today, which is just not what the research shows. We massively under predict how much we're going to change in the future. And we spend so little time imagining our future and turning that into concrete plans and strategies for courageously becoming the person we wanted to be”*“What is the actual objective of this article? What am I trying to accomplish? Or what am I trying to have the reader accomplish? What is the purpose of this article? Like just answering that question, like, what am I trying to accomplish? What am I trying to solve here?”*RESOURCES:Podcast Offer: To access the Genuis Blogging Course, email ben@benjaminhardy.com and mention the LWS interview offer along with proof of purchase of Ben’s book. Follow Ben Hardy:Website: benjaminhardy.comTwitter @benjaminphardyInstagram @benjamin_hardy_phdBen’s Books:Willpower Doesn't WorkPersonality Isn't PermanentWho Not How (co-authorship with Dan Sullivan.)Authors mentioned:Ryan HolidayTim FerrissMark MansonJeff GoinsOther books mentioned:Disunited Nations by Peter ZeihanMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklAtomic Habits by James ClearThe Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark MansonPerennial Seller by Ryan HolidayCourses mentioned:Guest Blogging by Jon Morrow - (summary here) & Genius Blogging*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

As writers, there may be times when we must delve deep into the harder ‘themes’ of life - that of grief and loss. How might we start to write about loss and in what medium - a blog? Or a book? And where do we begin? How can we be vulnerable on the page? Join our conversation with Anna Wilson, as we talk about the craft of writing memoirs, having the confidence to tell the truth, and the mindset that has enabled her to write 50+ books. *Anna Wilson is the author of over 50 books for children and young teens. In 2016 she started her blog Good Grief about mid-life, loss and new beginnings. This eventually led to her memoir A Place for Everything which tells the searing account of a mother’s late-diagnosis of autism – and what it means to care for our parents in their final years. Anna is also an editor and lecturer, a tutor for the London Lit Lab and the Writer's Block in Cornwall and for the Arvon Foundation. *SHOW NOTES:[03:53] Anna's love for swimming and how it helped her deal with grief[06:23] Anna's struggle to write during lockdown[08:16] How Anna chooses the themes for her books[11:23] On pitching ideas[14:42] Anna's blog and how it started[19:42] How to move from draft to a polished piece + Anna's writing practices[23:03] What to include and what not to when writing a memoir[24:56] How Anna decided to write a book about her mom and dad[27:09] Why Anna suggests reading other people's memoirs[30:29] Anna shares what the book A Place for Everything is about[33:39] On being vulnerable in your writing[37:24] Anna's advice for someone who wants to tell the truth[38:29] On how Anna came up with the title for the book[41:21] Why having a good relationship with your editor is important[44:39] Anna’s favourite writing exercises[46:10] Pigheaded attitude and being disciplined as a writer*QUOTES FROM ANNA:“I think it's quite a pigheaded attitude. I think you have to be pretty disciplined. I love Margaret Atwood when she says, “Show up, show up, show up. And the muse will too.” In other words, don't talk to me about, oh, I'm just waiting for the muse to come. I'm just waiting for that moment when I'm going to feel writer-y, and then I'll write something. Now you've got to show up every single day.”*SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODEConnect with Anna WilsonTwitter: @acwilsonwriterInstagram: @acwilsonwriterWebsite: acwilsonwriter.wordpress.comVlad the World’s Worst VampireSteve VoakePaddington2 - The Story of the Movie (Movie Tie-in)For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comFollow London Writers’ Salon:Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonCREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!