Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Alternate history and time travel author Nathan Van Coops was a trooper and joined Jami Albight and Sara Rosett despite having a cold. They delve into the joys of being a part-time writer and creating the lifestyle you want as well as tips on mistakes involving doing a royalty share for a Book One and trying to juggle too many things. And, last, they laugh about Jami's lunch choices and geek out about plotting books. There's a bit of lag in the opening when Sara's talking about the sequel to Knives Out and how Benoit Blanc is a perfect flat-arc character and provides an ideal set-up for a long-running episodic series.  The flu hit Jami's family and interrupted her writing week, but everyone is better and she'd back at the keyboard now. Nathan, Jami, and Sara discuss: -Tackling the thorny details of time travel and how dealing with the specifics appealed to fans of the genre -How Nathan carved a new entrepreneurial path and created a lifestyle that blends art and aviation -Living the life you want, which for Nathan means being able to wear flip flops to work -Influence of children’s adventure book, The Neverending Story -Advantages of being a part-time author: a financial safety net, reduced mental strain, and creative freedom -Risk evaluation for indie authors -How not all jobs are “soul-sucking” and you can love traditional employment and be a writer at the same time -Writing a book in snatches of 15 to 20 minutes -Why doing a royalty share on a Book One was a mistake -Why trying to juggle too many things is a mistake -Mindset and how to keep a healthy attitude -The benefits of preorders -Changes in the publishing industry, including pricing higher and how that can help you find new readers -How understanding his love of adventures stories helps Nathan write satisfying books for his readers -How finding your overarching brand draws readers to you as an author -Sara and Nathan geek out about plotting and plotting resources Genres discussed include time travel, alternate history, romance and mystery. Links: Nathan’s website https://www.nathanvancoops.com Nathan’s Book Faces Live group https://www.facebook.com/groups/148998479097782/ Book Faces Live podcast rss https://nathanvancoops.podbean.com/feed.xml The Neverending Story https://books2read.com/u/3G2268 Big Magic https://books2read.com/u/4XXX8g Chris Fox https://www.chrisfoxwrites.com Plot & Structure https://bSend 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

Amy Boyles, author of paranormal cozy mysteries with a southern flare, joins Jami Albright and Sara Rosett to talk about her successes and missteps.  Jami and Sara chat about how they’ve been blown away about the response to the podcast and say thanks for all the positive comments, shares, and reviews.  Jami has a boxed set out and Sara just released a new nonfiction book, How to Write a Series.  In the interview with Amy they discuss: -The definition of paranormal cozy -Humor in writing -The line between tropes and stereotypes -How Amy transitioning from being a full-time pharmacist to a full-time writer -The inspiration and influence of books, including Little Women and Twilight -Writing fast -Writing with kids: consistency and writing around the edges of your life -Figuring out what you’re good at writing -Knowing when to stop writing a series--when to cut your losses and move on -Branding--making your name and covers distinctive and interacting with your readers -The importance of connecting with other authors   Comment on this episode at WishIdKnownForWriter.com to be eligible to win an hour of free coaching with Jami and Sara’s new nonfiction book, How to Write a Series. Tell us who you’d like us to invite on the podcast and what topics you’d like to learn more about.    Links: https://amyboylesauthor.com Genres discussed include paranormal cozy mystery and romance. 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

Becca Syme, a Gallup-Certified Strengths coach and founder of the Write Better-Faster Academy, joins Jami and Sara to discuss how to discover your strengths as a writer and how to lean into those qualities. In this episode, Becca Syme, Jami Albright, and Sara Rosett discuss: -Self-awareness in writing  -Pivoting to write in new genre(s) and finding your perfect genre -Learning to trust yourself  -Dealing with fear when you’re starting a new project -Benefits of hearing opposing perspectives -Using your strengths in your writing life -Taking the long view when it comes to our books and writing -How to treat your mistakes as a learning opportunity -The misstep of writing in a super-niche genre (there might be eunuch werewolves involved in this answer) -The platform of Radish and what’s currently selling there -The importance of connecting with other writers   Genres discussed include paranormal romance, romantic comedy, mystery, cozy mystery, and non-fiction.    Links: Youtube Quitcast Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcMMgtLuogKNSbxlwyJ5ug https://www.rlsyme.com/about/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

Sara and Jami interview one another and reveal their deepest, darkest secrets--writing secrets, that is.  They talk about:  -Their first big successes--getting a Bookbub and finishing the first book -How they overcame tech challenges (hint: Youtube is your friend) -How not keeping up with changes in the market was a mistake for Sara and how she pivoted and started over in indie publishing  -What Jami learned as a new indie author  -How a mistake can be a good thing -How Sara learned it’s a mistake to try to cast too wide a net for readers  -The benefits Jami experienced when she held off publishing her first book and took a year to learn and research before release  -The changes Sara’s seen in publishing, including how writers have become more publisher-like in their decisions and the rise of advertising -How Jami launched her first book with a newsletter audience    Links: www.JamiAlbright.com www.SaraRosett.com Bookbub Partners: https://www.bookbub.com/partners/overview Genres discussed include: romance, romantic comedy, mystery, cozy mystery, thriller, and classic romantic suspense.  Don’t forget to subscribe! 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

Welcome to the Wish I’d Known Then podcast for writers. In this episode, indie authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett introduce themselves and chat about:  - the concept of the show, which is interviewing awesome indie authors to get their take on what’s worked for them as well as what mistakes they’ve made  - their love of podcasts - who their first guests will be    Subscribe to get the first 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-podcast