Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Episode 063 / Podcaster and historical mystery author Jenny Wheeler joins us on the podcast to talk about podcasting for readers, transitioning to writing fiction after another career, and the benefits of taking time off--a whole month! Intro links: Productivity site Jami mentioned: Pacemaker  Sign up for historical mystery book releases and updates on Historical Mystery day: Historical Mystery Day and new release sign up Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: How Jenny came to writing fiction later in life Why developing a following takes time What Jenny dropped during lockdown and how that impacted her writing life Why Jenny decided to start a podcast for readers The benefits of taking time off and how Jenny keeps her listeners engaged during the break Why she has two different newsletters, one for her podcast listeners and another for her readers and how she’s built both Genre discussed in this podcast: historical mystery. Links:  Jenny Wheeler Author Website The Joys of Binge ReadingSend 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

Episode 062 / Prolific cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes joins us this week and we delve into how her reader-centric focus has brought her success.  Intro links: Jami has continued writing first each day and her words are adding up. Shout-out to Becca Syme’s video Why Can’t I Hit My Deadlines that helped Jami. Sara’s revising and editing. She has a new desk stand. It’s from a company called Harmoni. (#affiliate link). It’s made for use with a laptop, but Sara uses it as a standing with her iMac desktop and the keyboard stand she had made so she can stand while she works. Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: How a difficult time in her life lead Tonya to discover the joy of book clubs and reading Why Tonya wishes she hadn’t been so much of a “squirrel” when it came to writing in different genres How Tonya uses out-of-the-box thinking for her promotion 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

Episode 061 / Do you want your life set up to weather storms like 2020? Adriel Wiggins joins us this week to talk about how she learned to structure her life in a way that helps her get through the tough times.  Intro notes: Sara’s celebrating completing the first draft of her historical mystery, while Jami shares a video of Becca Syme that’s helped Jami get her words in each day since she watched it. Check out Why Can’t I Hit My Deadlines. Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: Why waiting for “someday” to come isn’t a good plan to achieve your goals and dreams How paying off debt from a failed business helped Adriel prepare for 2020 How Adriel learned what type of business best fit her personality Setting up checkpoints that serve as warning signs your getting close to overwhelm The Perfect Day exercise How automating tasks and events gives your freedom   Links:  Weathering the Storm Workshop - Mention WIKT podcast and get an extra download bonus. :)  Weathering the Storm course waitlist  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

Episode 060 / Romance author Lucy Score joined us to talk about how staying in her lane and creating a backlist of titles, all with a similar tone, has contributed to her success. Our conversion ranges from craft to setting boundaries to how Lucy works with her publishing team. Jami’s novella launched last week, and Sara locked up her computer trying to install an update. Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: Why every detail in a book is a way to deepen character How Lucy uses series as well as standalone novels to build her readership How she transitions new readers into her back catalog Her assumption that writing would get easier and how that was wrong (we all have a good laugh about that one!) How she nurtures a positive atmosphere in her reader group Lucy also breaks down her publishing team and their roles How Lucy uses exercise, meditation, and boundaries to help her handle stress Links:  Lucy Score’s website Instagram handle: scorelucy Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/lucyscorewrites How to Write a Series by Sara Rosett 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

Episode 059 / Thriller author and creative entrepreneur Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn podcast joined us this week to talk about learning from mistakes, the importance of mindset, and taking the long view in your writing career. The sun is out in Houston and we’re recovering from the great “snow-apocalypse” of 2021. Jami has running water again (yay!) and her lockdown novella, Locked in Love, launches this week and at the end of the novella she’s giving away her brides novella as a lead magnet. Sara is writing and researching a possible French translation. Question of the week: What is your approach to translations? Did it change after listening to Episode 58 with Tonya Anne Crosby? Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: Getting better with practice - the continual opportunity to grow in your craft The importance of backlist for established authors What Joanna learned from marketing her first book and why she doesn’t use those tactics now The assumptions Joanna made in the beginning of her writing career about podcasting and writing fiction and why they were wrong How Joanna used what she learned from a failed business to create a business and life she enjoys Joanna’s tips on how to choose a pen name 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

Episode 058 / Are you thinking about doing translations for your books? Historical and contemporary romance author Tanya Anne Crosby has coordinated over 100 translations across German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch. When a health scare meant she couldn’t write quickly, she focused on translations as a way to exploit her intellectual property. She shares what she’s learned about how to produce translations as well as how to market them. Intro links: The winter storm hit both of us hard this week, and we’ve been in survival mode. If you want tips on winterizing southern-style or creative ways to use snow during not-so-rolling blackouts, we’ve got you covered. Not much writing was done, and we talk about how both of us are okay with that. Sara was on The Creative Penn podcast this week talking about her How to Write a Series book.  Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: Confidence, rejection, and shooting for the top After a health scare, Tanya cut back on her production and turned to translations to bring in income Why Tanya does some translations direct and does others as royalty share Special considerations around copyright for German translations The importance of aligning the heat level in romance translations How Tanya markets her translations 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

Episode 057 / How do you get a fabulous cover for your book? Najla Qamber, cover designer and founder of Qamber Designs and Media is here to answer all our questions about covers, including how to find a cover designer, what to include in your cover brief, and how to give feedback to a designer. Najla also gives tips for custom covers and clues us in on the hot trends in cover design. Intro links:  Stark Reflections Podcast #174 Locked in Love by Jami Albright Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Genres discussed include romance, psychological thrillers, cozy mystery, and chic lit. Najla Qamber Designs   The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes  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

Episode 056 / Do you have financial goals you’d like to achieve in your author career? Romance author L.B. Dunbar tells us how focus and pacing helped her reach her goals. Our conversation also hit on how L.B. went against the conventional wisdom of what sells with her over 40 romance, writing in other authors’ worlds, and transitioning out of a day job into full-time writing. Intro links: Jami’s viral video  The Mimosa Tree Mystery Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links atwishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: How L.B. got into writing The importance of “bank over rank” How L.B. decided to write over 40 romance Why L.B. considered quitting in 2017 and how she turned things around in 2018 The steps to she to meet her financial goals The importance of her manta, “Why not me?” Genres discussed include second chance romance and over 40 romance. Links for L.B. Dunbar: Facebook * Instagram * Reader Group * Web * Twitter  Mark Dawson’s courses (affiliate) Sky Warren The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes Text faces are small strings of characters that can describe emotions and make your text stand out. Browse them in the gallery.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

Episode 055 /  NYT bestselling author Gail Carriger joins us this week to talk about The Heroine’s Journey. This episode is a deep dive into story and plotting. Our conversation also touches on the benefits of direct sales, the importance of a newsletter, and how to recover when things that are out of your control go wrong.  In the intro Jami talks about her hand surgery, which went great, and Sara’s email migration is complete. Two helpful links: The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing Audiobooks AppSumo deal (affiliate link) Optinly Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. https://insights.bookbub.com/outside-box-book-marketing-ideas In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: Gail’s background in academia  Turning serendipity into success Embracing failure Seeing difficulties as an opportunity - ACX delays as an opportunity to test direct sales The benefits of learning how to run a small business Learning your book is a product How to recover when things that are out of your control go wrong 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

Episode 054 / Do you want to be a successful writer? Friendships with other writers can be a big factor in contributing to a long career. Romance and cozy mystery author Cheryl Phipps joins us this week to talk about how her writer friends spur her on to greater achievements in writing and promotion. We also talk about her move into cozy mystery. Intro links: Cincy Book Bus Jami’s Bernie Sanders meme video Jami’s New Author Discovery newsletter application form ScribeCount - New site for wide authors to keep track of sales data Out of the Box promo ideas from Bookbub Partners Blog - wearable swag from book covers and special editions similar to Sara’s snowflake special edition Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: How the definition of success changes over time Why needing to improve in writing craft shouldn’t keep you from getting started writing Why Cheryl wishes she’d known not to be afraid of marketing--Facebook ads in particular Cheryl’s move into cozy mystery  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