Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Episode 053 / It may be 2021, but many writers are juggling working from home and caring for their families. Mystery author, editor, and book coach Connie B. Dowell has tips on how to write with the kids at home. She also shares why she created The Messy Author Planner.  In the intro, Sara shares a “wish I’d known then” mistake related to using her website for her business email (not her newsletter emails). Jami shares her plans for a free story she wrote for her newsletter subscribers. And Jami passes on a marketing tip from the SMBS: embedded Amazon links.  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 Connie went from being a bookmobile driver to teaching writing to writing fiction Success and sustainability How Connie has tailored her writing style to her readers  The most important marketing tactic: having a newsletter Writing LGBT characters and pros and cons of content warnings Tips for writing with small kids The Messy Author Planner  How Connie handles hosting a podcast as well as writing fiction Genres discussed include cozy mystery, LGBT cozy mystery, and historical mystery.  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

Episode 052 / Do you want to have a long writing career? Prolific historical romance author Jess Michaels is here with tips to help you set yourself up for a long and productive career.  We also talk with Jess about her transition from traditional publishing to indie publishing, how she learned that an 8-month sabbatical was not a good thing for an Achiever, and how she writes now that she understands her process. And the illustration of forest and trees comes up again! Perhaps that’s a theme for 2021? Intro links:  Historical Mystery Day Becca Syme’s QuitCast 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 Jess got into writing and how she’s been able to retire her husband from his job The infinite numbers of ways to find success and discovering your own process Finding constants in marketing books in a continually changing industry and how “best practices” can be different in each genre Feeling the pain of not hitting goals, but learning from those experiences Why taking an 8 month break was not restful for Jess How Jess structures her work and and rest as an Achiever Why having a platform is a key to longevity 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 051 / Contemporary romance author Zoe York joins us to talk about aligning your current projects with your long-term goals. Plus we dive into author branding and business models and Zoe’s tips for writing a series. This episode is packed with so much good info for writers!  Intro links: Happy 2021!  How to Outline a Cozy Mystery sale 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 Zoe discovered the joy of ereaders Why goals are often a moving target The benefits of anthologies Why real enthusiasm and passion is so important for success Breaking the rules of plot structure and starting with the black moment Order of operations for writing and marketing Assumptions about growth and how it’s not always cumulative Getting to the next level if you plateau Branding: an oak tree versus a field of poplars Series within a series Series names and how they impact reader expectations Zoe’s tips for writing a series First draft mistakes on a Book One in a series 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 050 / Not to be outdone by the countdown to the new year (and who isn’t ready to wave goodbye to 2020?), Jami and Sara count the top ten episodes of the first year of the Wish I’d Known Then podcast. In the intro, Sara talks about reading Gail Carriger’s book The Heroine’s Journey. Jami is finishing her story that she’s sending to her newsletter. Jami recommends Warrior Nun and Sara’s binging Hallmark Christmas movies. You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Episode with the most comments/interaction:  Ep 44: Narrating Your Fiction Audiobooks with Nikki Haverstock   Episodes with the most Youtube views:   1 -Ep 15: Finding Success in Small Genres with Elana Johnson 2 - Ep 48: Becca Syme on Unrealistic Expectations and JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out) 3 - Ep 41: Robin Cutler on the Advantages of IngramSpark for Print and the Future of Publishing   Countdown of Top 10 Podcast episode downloads:    10 - Ep 5: Learning to Reverse Engineer a Novel with Cecelia Mecca   9 - Ep 24: 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 049 / Kandi Steiner shares the importance of mindset for writers and how being thankful helps us enjoy writing. Kandi is a wizard on Instagram, and we delve into her top tips. Plus, how to deal with books that don’t live up to our expectations. You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. In the intro update: Jami is close to finishing her serial and will publish it soon. Jami also shares about her decision to shift her marketing for her latest book and her plan to write a series within a series.  Sara recommended two podcasts: Nathan Van Coop’s Book Faces Live and Julie Strauss’ Best Book Ever. And for anyone debating whether to go indie or traditional, Sara shares her thoughts on the experience of her trad publisher holding her audiobook rights for a decade, then licensing the audio for the first five books in her series.  In this podcast episode, you’ll discover: Kandi’s definition of success and how it’s changed over time Writing the “scary” book and how it was Kandi’s first breakout book success The most important thing to do while you’re writing your first book Making peace with the fact that marketing is never-ending Dealing with lack of support from people in your life when you’re writing How to deal with books that don’t perform as you expect Why mindset is the most important thing in writing and how being thankful changes your mindset Being authentic yourself on Instagram and why sharing your passions draws people to you 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 048 / We talk to author and writing coach Becca Syme about 2020 about the impact it has had on writers and how we can move into 2021 and thrive in the new year. Plus the 2020 hangover, werewolves, Zoom writing sprints, and books on vinyl.   In the intro Sara reports that direct sales are working and if your audiobooks are stuck in the ACX approval queue, that’s a window of opportunity to introduce your readers to buying direct. Jami is back from the virtual version of Romance Author Mastermind and is inspired! Her takeaways: audiobooks, translations, and print books through Ingram.  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: Becca’s update since she was our first guest in WIKT 002: Leaning into Your Strengths in Your Writing  How 2020 brought a lot of stress and frustration in the writer community to a head, and Becca’s upcoming book, Dear Writer, It’s 2020, which breaks down all the different reasons writers aren’t having success and how to overcome those issues What Becca learned personally in 2020, including writing sprints on Zoom Becca’s plans for the innovative marketing tactic of releasing an audiobook on vinyl Tips for building community and using Patreon Becca’s answers to questions from the WIKT Facebook: finding an editor and what things a new author should “quit” until they’re more established DealinSend 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 047 / We get a jump on the typical year-in-review podcast episode and do our 2020 retrospective early. (Are we ready for 2020 to be over? Yes, yes we are.) We discuss the mistakes we’ve made and what we’ve learned in this terrible-horrible-very-bad-no-good year. Oddly, it basically turned into a Thanksgiving episode . . . with the bonus of Jami’s North Pole decorating tips thrown in.  Intro recap:  Jami’s 99 cent series promo went great and exceeded her expectations. Sara’s release of her historical mystery, which went really well and launched with over 3,000 ebook preorder. She talks about the non-trackable things she did, like promoting her special edition hardcover, which brought the happy side-effect of drawing attention to the ebook.  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: Jami’s thoughts on being happy where you are and avoiding comparison-itis How Sara’s pace of writing 2.5 books may seem slow, but it adds up--she just released book #30  How Covid highlighted things to be thankful for that Sara hadn’t even thought of Why pivoting from one subgenre to another can be a mistake Sara’s lessons learned on direct sales and why she wishes she’d started doing direct sales earlier Sara’s tips on how to get audiobook direct sales Jami’s reflections on writing one book a year and the freedom being a writer gives us Genres discussed include romantic comedy and historical 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

Episode 046 / Founder of Reedsy and soon-to-be published author, Ricardo Fayet joins us to talk about how authors can work with Reedsy to find freelancers, get their books in front of reviewers, and find translators. We also touch on simple ways to improve your sales pages and reach international readers. Intro recap: Sara talked about what she’d learned from launching a special edition hardcover: 1) you need a long lead time so you don’t have to pay expedited shipping on the books, and 2) set up a sign-up page first to find out if anyone is interested, then set up a sales page with a “pre-order” before ordering the books from IngramSpark. Sara did the sign-up, but not the sales page and she’d do both if she does it again. Sara’s a founding author at BingeBooks, which recently launched. It’s a bookish site for readers to discover new books, keep track of books they’re reading, and connect with authors. They have a waiting list for authors who would like to claim their profile. Jami’s 99 cent sale is running and she’s directing clicks to her series page, which is one of David Gaughran’s recommendations for good conversions. Jami gives the tactic a thumbs up. Jami’s also running ads on Facebook and Bookbub. 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 Ricardo came to create Reedsy, a marketplace to connect writers and freelancers Ricardo’s advice for authors who don’t like Facebook The difference between having an advertising presence and an organic presence on a social media site 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 045 / Sacha Black, author of young adult fantasy as well as non-fiction for writers, joins us this week to talk about how being your authentic self empowers you. We also delve into practical tips on how authors can achieve financial independence. Then Sacha answers questions from the Facebook group about productivity, rebellion, and how to write great villains. Intro recap: Sara’s deep in Direct Sales Land, figuring out the Woocommerce plugin and shipping options for her special edition hardcover with hand-stamped end pages. Jami was sick last week, but she’s recovered and is planning a price promotion, dropping her books to 99 cents. She’ll report back on how the sale goes.  Come over and say hey 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 blogging and NaNoWriMo helped Sacha return to her first love of writing Why Sacha is passionate about financial independence for authors How she paid off her debt so she could leave her day job; plus Sacha’s tips for authors who’d like to do the same What Sacha wishes she’d known about craft and how she now dissects the books she reads and does forensic breakdowns to find the patterns and tools the authors employ Why everything counts in marketing Why Sacha’s assumptions about being a full-time author were wrong How having multiple streams of income creates financial stability How Sacha accidentally created a pen name for herself When you shouldn’t listen to your audienceSend 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 044 / Cozy mystery author Nikki Haverstock joins us to talk about how authors can record fiction audiobooks. This episode is packed with Nikki’s practical tips for set-up, tools, and promotion ideas. 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 Nikki learned she didn’t need a special dispensation to be a writer--that it’s more about hard work Why Nikki wishes she’d known that it’s okay that writing is hard How Nikki gives away some of her work get her books in front of the right people Why finding readers of your genre is critical for getting good feedback Why sometimes it's okay to make “bad” business decisions on the basis of personal growth Why Nikki decided to narrate her fiction books Nikki’s tips for authors who want to narrate their books Be okay with listening to your voice Be reasonably good with hunting out your own information on how to record and edit Listen to audiobooks Nikki’s recording set-up and tools:  Closet Blue Yeti Music stand with Kindle app to read from 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