

Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers
Sara Rosett and Jami Albright
Welcome to the Wish I'd Known Then podcast. Join authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett as they interview authors about lessons they've learned about writing and publishing.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2025 • 43min
Personalizing Email Marketing with Bev Feldman
Episode 263 / Do you want to make your newsletters more personal and connect with readers? Bev Feldman, an email marketing strategist at Your Personal Tech Fairy, joins us today to share how to do just that through the type of content you share as well as sequences and segmenting.Setting expectations in a welcome sequenceThe value of letting subscribers goBasic ways to segment your newsletter listTips to make resending to unopened more effectiveCommon mistakes Bev sees people make with their newslettersSubject lines and ALT text tips 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:https://yourpersonaltechfairy.comhttps://yourpersonaltechfairy.com/newsletterSend 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-podcast

Mar 19, 2025 • 52min
Jennifer Hilt on Trope Con and Planning Online Events
Episode 262 / Jennifer Hilt shares how her writing career has evolved since she was with us in 2023, including expanding her trope thesaurus books to specific genres and her thoughts on launching an online event, TropeCon. She also shares her lessons learned for planning online events. If you want to connect with your readers through an online event, Jennifer has plenty of tips and ideas. Topics: The messy path to achievement and why you shouldn’t overthink or underestimate yourselfHow tropes relate to different genres like horror, romance, and fantasy sci-fiThe art of making mistakes and bouncing backUnderstanding tropes across genres and insights into tropes in different genresTips for setting up and running an online event, including platform and logistic choices, pricing strategy, and promotion possibilities💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:www.jenniferhilt.com.https://jenniferhilt.substack.com/https://www.youtube.com/@TropeTalkhttps://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hilt.2025 Trope Con Registration Link: https://trope-talk-jennifer-s-school.teachable.com/?affcode=1589366_yo0_fyjf (affiliate link)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-podcast

Mar 12, 2025 • 47min
Elizabeth O'Roark on Pivoting, Using Tropes, and Breakout Success
Episode 261 / Elizabeth O’Roark shares about tapping into her creativity during the pandemic, tackling the ups and downs of switching genres, the power of tropes, and breakout success.Topics:Chasing successWhat Elizabeth wishes she’d started earlier Assessment of opportunity costBenefits of shifting to a new genreHow Elizabeth incorporates tropes and microtropes into her plan for a new bookMoving into special editions and direct sales💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:www.elizabethoroark.comSend 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-podcast

Mar 5, 2025 • 46min
From Bull Riders to Bologna: Cat Johnson's Approach to IRL (In Real Life) Book Marketing
Episode 259 / Cat Johnson shares about writing resilience and creative innovation. We discuss Cat’s diversified distribution strategy that includes wide retailers as well as KU and her innovative promotion idea that lean into the personal and real life connections.Topics discussed: The power of pivoting in an unpredictable industryThe value of building a strong backlistOut-of-the-box marketing ideasWhat Cat wishes she’d known about being a hybrid authorWriting and promotion tips for multi-author projects, like her interconnected series with several other authors Incorporating real places into your fiction and promotion: what it’s like to live in a Hallmark-type town in real life–and write about it!💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:https://catjohnson.net/Trope Con: https://trope-talk-jennifer-s-school.teachable.com/?affcode=1589366_yo0_fyjf (Affiliate link)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-podcast

Feb 26, 2025 • 33min
Fresh Ideas: Insights on What You Want from the Podcast
Episode 258 / We delve into your responses from our previous episode, "What Do You Want?" We’re all ears and sincerely grateful for the feedback! You shared your love for the podcast and some brilliant suggestions. We unpack your ideas, which range from having more diverse author guests to potential coaching sessions with listeners. You also chimed in with some fantastic new questions to ask guests. 📢 Suggest authors or volunteer to be on the podcast! https://bit.ly/WishGuests 📩✍️ Thank you for all the wonderful comments and engagement. It fuels us! 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:SPA Girls interview with Amy Award: https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep484-interview-with-amy-award/Death in the English Countryside - mass market paperback subscription edition: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335425454_death-in-the-english-countryside.htmlSend 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-podcast

Feb 19, 2025 • 44min
Balancing Creativity and Real Life with Writing Coach Catharine Bramkamp
Episode 257 / Catharine Bramkamp is a writing coach, workshop facilitator, poet, traveler, and has authored 27 fiction, non-fiction and poetry books. She joins us to share about creativity, finding joy in the process of writing, and common mistakes she sees as a writing coach. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:www.Catharine-Bramkamp.comhttps://sierrawritersconference.wordpress.com/schedule/https://www.sierrapoetryfestival.orgFlutter Romance Bookstore: https://flutterromancebookstore.company.site/Everylibrary.org Library Lover’s Event with Sara Rosett and Jennifer Hilt: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/1129658792042176YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE-Srqv34lESend 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-podcast

Feb 12, 2025 • 45min
Working with Illustrators for Special Editions with Hanna Sandvig
Episode 256 / Cozy fantasy author and illustrator Hanna Sandvig joins us to talk about working with illustrators to create gorgeous special editions. We also chat about how Hanna’s business has evolved over time as she’s incorporated illustration into her own books and begun using Kickstarter and Patreon. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:HannaSandvig.comhttps://www.patreon.com/Hannasandvighttps://www.kickstarter.com/profile/hannasandvig/createdhttps://www.instagram.com/hannasandvigSample illustration contract: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I0D4JyHdwJC3i002y0TIgnBxnTnPpHrGPDL_Pu9an-s/edit?usp=sharingSend 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-podcast

Feb 5, 2025 • 17min
What Do You Want?
Episode 255 / It’s time for a heart to heart. Jami and Sara want to hear what you want from the podcast. Are you still finding value in the podcast? Do you want to see a change in format or focus? Let us know!Sara also answers questions about her mystery letters. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message What changes do you want to see in the podcast? ⚡Links:Ep 181: Cat Maura on Discoverability and Creating a Compelling “mini-series” Drip Campaign https://wishidknownforwriters.com/181-2/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-podcast

6 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 44min
From Masterminds to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Samantha Cummings, a YA fantasy author and co-host of the Pen to Paycheck podcast, dives into the vibrant world of writing communities. She shares her gamified approach to NaNoWriMo and reflects on her earlier mistakes with marketing, particularly newsletters. Samantha emphasizes the importance of community support, revealing how even one supportive person can make a difference. She opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome and the journey of creating a Discord community for fellow Young Adult Fantasy writers.

Jan 22, 2025 • 26min
How to Get through the TikTok Chaos + Social Media Alternatives
Episode 253 / It’s a Jami and Sara episode this week as we break down the recent chaos with TikTok (It’s gone! It’s back!) and what actions authors can take to make sure they’re able to connect with readers despite the unpredictable nature of social media platforms. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode. 📥 Send us a Text Message Will you do anything differently after the reinstatement of TikTok?⚡Links:Ines’ Kickstarter: https://ineswrites.com/KickstarterSend 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-podcast