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Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Latest episodes

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Jan 11, 2022 • 1h 7min

Writing Without an Outline, Crossover Books, and Tips for being a Digital Nomad with Kevin Tumlinson

Episode 103 / Do you struggle to outline? Are you an organic writer who writes into the dark? Then you’ll enjoy this episode with thriller author Kevin Tumlinson who is a discovery writer. We talk about his process of writing, what he does when he gets stuck, and how he edits as he goes. Kevin also describes how he uses crossovers to build his series world and gives tips for anyone aspiring to be a digital nomad. Plus what’s new at Draft2Digital.     Show notes: How Kevin recycled unfinished stories to write his first thriller How Kevin writes books without an outline and edits as he goes What he does when he gets stuck when writing a draft Why putting “Book 1 of 3” on a cover was a mistake and why it turned out to be a good thing in the end How Kevin embraced a mistake and created a whole new series around it How he uses crossovers to draw readers to his other series Draft2Digital’s updates around print and Universal Book Links Kevin’s tips for being a digital nomad Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Kevin’s website: KevinTumlinson.com  Draft2Digital.com  Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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Jan 4, 2022 • 1h 18min

Audiobook Creation and Promotion: Will Dages from Findaway Voices

Episode 102 / Do you want to promote your audiobooks? Or are you just getting started with audio and aren’t sure how to create an audiobook? Will Dages, Head of Findaway Voices, joins us talk all things audio. Will tells us about Findaway’s new Marketplace, which helps connect narrators and authors. He also shares tips about how to work with narrators, how to promote your audio on all platforms, and why you want your audiobooks in libraries.  Intro links:  Goal-setting for Authors: Episode #154 of the Successful Writer Podcast with Alana Terry Show notes: Why it’s easier to make an audiobook than you might think Why audio is a long-term income generator for authors Why social media isn’t the “holy grail” for authors How diversifying in format widens your audience Tips on how to work with a narrator to get a great audiobook  Trends on what is selling in audiobooks Changes in the audiobook industry: short term promos, stair-step pricing, and uptick in sales of shorter audio Findaway’s Marketplace and how it helps connect audiobook narrators with authors How to promote your audio to libraries Audio preorders and how they help promote your audiobooks  Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknowSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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Dec 21, 2021 • 1h 2min

How to Plan for the New Year with Audrey Hughey

Episode 101 / Do you want to be more organized in 2022? Do you love planners, calendars, and notebooks? Then this week’s episode with author and creator of The Author’s Planner, Audrey Hughey, is for you. If you’re not a fan of planners, don’t tune out. Audrey has a great perspective on making your plans work for you so that you’re not stressed out. We chat about what to do if you’re not a planner, how to handle it when plans change, and getting specific with targets so you can meet your goals. And Audrey introduces us to erasable pens–what magic is this? Show notes: How Audrey set up a library of videos to help authors with their marketing Why Louis L'amour is an inspiration for her in her writing Why Audrey focuses on freedom and fulfillment instead of a financial number as her measure of success “Planning Fallacy” – why we don’t allow enough margin in our plans and how to account for delays and unforeseen interruptions  The difference between a goal and a target How The Author’s Planner grew out of Audrey’s need for a way to organize multiple areas of her life Why Audrey prints out her targets for each year and puts them in her office Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Audrey’s website, The Write Services Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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Dec 14, 2021 • 1h 2min

Behind the Scenes of the Podcast Plus How to Work with Teams

Episode 100 / 🎉 It’s our 100th episode and we’re celebrating with a look behind the scenes. Join us as we talk all things podcasting with Alexa Larberg and Adriel Wiggins, who make sure the podcast goes out each week. If you’re thinking of starting a podcast, you’ll find this episode full of useful tips. We also pick their brains for tips on working with a team and how to stay organized. Show notes: Tips for pitching a podcast for a guest appearance  How we schedule guests using Calendly How we record using Zoom How handle post production and the tools we use:  Dropbox Garage Band Auphonic Libsyn Group text Tips for working with a team  How Adriel and Alexa stay organized Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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Dec 7, 2021 • 52min

Ines Johnson on Happiness, the Surprising Benefits of Failing, and Tips to Organize Your Writing Life

Episode 099 / Romance author Ines Johnson joins us this week. So much goodness in this episode. We cover everything from coupling your financial goals to your happiness, the upside of trying and failing, and tips on organizing metadata as well as your writing schedule.  Show notes: How the music of her dad’s funk band helped Ines learn about story Ines mindset shift that involved coupling monetary goals to happiness Examples of how to use storytelling in your marketing Why her approach is to fail faster and its surprising benefits Tips for organizing book metadata How Ines’ approach to translations has evolved and her favorite way to approach translations now Ines’s Book Metadata Template TekTime BabelCub Draft2Digital Reedsy Marketplace  Upwork Sarra Cannon’s HeartBreathings Youtube channel Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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Nov 30, 2021 • 37min

Writing and Publishing: Tools we Use, Favorite Craft Books, and Organization Tips

Episode 098 / In this post-Thanksgiving show we walk through our writing and publishing process, delving into the tools we use from software to dictation apps.  We also chat about our favorite craft books, then we wrap up with some tips for keeping everything organized.  QOTW: What organizational tips do you have for writing and publishing? Show notes:  Jami’s Cyber Monday consulting sale: contact her at:  jamialbright1@gmail (dot) com. Episode 26 - Book Launch Plans: The Mega Episode  Dragon Dictation   Easy Voice Recorder Scrivener Vellum Draft2Digital Pacemaker Planner Plottr Grammarly Pro Writing Aid Authors AI Romancing the Beat Save the Cat Something Startling Happens Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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5 snips
Nov 23, 2021 • 1h 9min

Theodora Taylor: Universal Fantasy and How to Make Readers Love Your Stories

Romance author Theodora Taylor shares tips for new writers and breaks down universal fantasies in Beauty and The Beast, Knives Out, Notting Hill, and Crazy Rich Asians. Discussion on writing series, genre hopping, and balancing personal life while pursuing a writing career.
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Nov 16, 2021 • 1h 10min

Troy Lambert on Plottr and Pitching Your Book to Bookstores

Episode 096 / Troy Lambert, author, editor, freelance writer, and lead educator for Plottr joins us this week. We had a wide-ranging conversation including what he’s learned from interviewing authors who use Plottr. Troy also gives some out of the box tips for getting your books in bookstores. Intro links:  Jami’s talk, What I Wish I’d Known about Indie Publishing, at 20Books Vegas conference 2021 Advance Reader Copies panel at 20Books Vegas conference 2021 Plottr interview with Sara about writing a cozy mystery Jami’s interview on Not Your Average Lives podcast Spotify acquires Findaway (TechCrunch article) QOTW: Talk to us about conferences. What are your tips for having a good conference? Which conferences do you recommend? Show notes: Why Troy works to educate the educators about writing careers Troy’s tips for pitching your book to your local bookstore Why Troy is a hybrid author and how you chooses which projects to publish himself and which to hand off to a traditional publisher How to deal with writer’s block so that you get “unstuck” in your creative process How Plottr helps authors plan their books and what Troy has learned from interviewing authors who use the platform Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara inSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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Nov 9, 2021 • 1h 2min

Mindset shifts in going from Trad to Indie Publishing with Heather Day Gilbert

Episode 095 / Cozy mystery and historical fiction author Heather Day Gilbert joins us to talk about the challenges of moving from a traditionally published author to an indie author. We touch on the mindset shifts she had to go through, and she gives us an overview of how she launched a successful indie cozy mystery series. Plus we delve into one of her lessons-learned that involves a snake. :)  Show notes: How Heather got started writing through NaNoWriMo Why Heather doesn’t recommend writing in several different genres at the beginning of your writing career (but sometimes we can’t help ourselves!) Why Heather goes against the advice to not read reviews and how she uses them to get feedback on her books The relationship she has with her readers and how they provide feedback for her on blurbs and titles The mindset change she had to make regarding awards and “fame fog” to become an indie author How Heather used a rapid release model that fit her life and writing habits to launch a new indie series Heather’s book for writers, Indie Publishing Handbook Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com.   Links:  Heather’s website:  https://heatherdaygilbert.com/ Twitter: @heatherdgilbert ISend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing
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Nov 2, 2021 • 1h

New Author Series: Tru Taylor on Positivity, Planning, and a New Pen Name

Episode 094 / Romantic comedy author Tru Taylor shares how she stays positive and how she successfully launched a new pen name in 2021. QOTW: How do you stay positive? Do you use affirmations, meditation, or something else? Show notes: Tru’s shift from new reporter to author The books that helped Tru develop her writing craft and understand how to plot a book: Save the Cat and My Story Can Beat Up Your Story Why she recommends new writers move on to another book instead of continuing to revise the same “first”  book How her marketing plans changed with the launch of her new pen name  How she stays positive and uses meditations and affirmations Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Tru’s website: https://trutaylor.com/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Tru-Taylor-Author-107664454229005 Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/trutaylorauthor/ Mailing list signup: https://bit.ly/TruTales Bookbub profile:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tru-taylor Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

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