Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Episode 216 / Mystery author Abigail Keam shares how she embraced the digital landscape and incorporated direct sales into her business model. From historical accuracy to adapting to technology, she shares her lessons-learned. 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportTopics:Challenges Abigail faced with publishers and how she found success with indie publishingHow Abigail weaves historical events and people into her novelsThe importance of accuracy in historical fiction and her process for research and fact-checkingHow she uses merchandise (calendar, mug, and book boxes) to add another stream of income Embracing technology to connect with her readersThe evolving landscape of writing, marketing, and the need for constant adaptationLinks:Author website: https://www.abigailkeam.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/author.abigailkeam/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/abigailkeamauthor/Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/abigailkeam/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@abigailkeamBookFunnel Video Webinar Library: https://bookfunnel.com/videos/?ck_subscriber_id=521109338Send 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

Episode 215 / When it comes to your author business, a bargain sometimes costs money in the long run, but other times it pays to splurge instead of scrimp. Join us as we discuss tips for saving money as well as when we’re willing to pay more.💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportUse a “savings triage,” a list of ways to save money on business expensesInnovative side-hustlesWhat items we’re willing to spend more onTips on saving on editing, cover design, and marketingLinks: https://www.sararosett.com/author-business-expenses-save-splurge/https://blog.reedsy.com/save-on-your-self-publishing-budget/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

Episode 214 / How do you pull in readers who will love your books and push away those readers who won’t enjoy your book? Branding.Branding is more than colors, fonts, and covers.Join us for an in-depth discussion on how to determine your brand and carry it through in everything from your voice to ad copy to covers. And you know we’re always here for food analogies so the alternate title of this episode is “Why branding is like a layer cake.” 🍰What is a brand promise? UniquenessUsing comp authorsDoes your voice need to match your brand? Creating an author tagline that reflects your brand💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportSend 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

Episode 213 / We’re sharing an interview Sara did with Matty Dalrymple on the Indy Author Podcast last year. Sara and Matty go deep on the topic of how to structure a series so that it works for your writing style and your genre. 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportThe three types of seriesExtending your seriesSpin-offsUsing short stories to enhance your seriesDealing boredom in writing in the same story world again and againChallenges around ending a seriesHow to Write a Series by Sara Rosett: https://books2read.com/howtowriteaseriesBuy the print version of How to Write a Series direct from Sara:https://sararosettbooks.com/products/how-to-write-a-seriesSara’s website: https://www.SaraRosett.comThis podcast originally aired on the Indy Author Podcast on 10/31/23: https://www.theindyauthor.com/210---constructing-a-compelling-series.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

Episode 212 / Claire Taylor, humor and mystery author and Enneagram expert, shares how authors can use the Enneagram to create a resilient approach to the often chaotic writer lifestyle. We also discuss Claire’s successful track record on Kickstarter, and she tells us what she wishes she knew about using the crowdfunding platform.💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportHow the Enneagram can help authors with sustainabilityMost common mistakes authors make in regard to sustainabilityThe superpower each Enneagram has that helps with resilience Typical blocks authors strugglingWhat Claire wishes she’d known about running Kickstarter campaignswww.kickffs.comwww.ffs.media www.liberatedwriter.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-podcast

Episode 211 / How do you live your best life through your writing career? We talk with Joe Solari about how to achieve author goals and how various business models, including direct sales and subscriptions, play into reaching those goals. We also discuss Author Nation, the largest indie author conference, and tips on how to have a great conference experience. New business models: direct sales, subscriptionsImpact of AI across industriesThe single factor that will attract readers to youStructure of Author Nation conference tracksWhat to do after the conference ends: why narrowing your focus is importantAuthor Nation: www.authornation.live Nov 11-15, 2024💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportSend 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

Episode 210 / M.K. Williams writes suspenseful literary fiction and helps aspiring authors. M.K. shares how she writes and markets books across different genres, using Payhip for direct sales, the drawback of a surprise launch, and why delusion is sometimes a good thing. 🌀Why M.K. has specific goals for each bookWhy M.K. recommends purchasing your ISBNsWhy authors should “pack their patience” when it comes to writing and publishingMindset shift M.K. had to go through in considering the tradition route with a bookThe problem with a “surprise” book launchCommon mistakes aspiring authors makeHow M.K. uses Payhip for her direct salesLinks:https://1mkwilliams.com/https://www.youtube.com/@1MKWilliamsEbooklaunch covers:  https://ebooklaunch.com/?ref=32 (Affiliate)💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportSend 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

Episode 209 / How do you get to the point that your readers “one-click” the buy button for your books? Join us as we chat with small town romance author Melanie Harlow. Melanie shares what she learned about giving readers what they want—and what that has to do with spaghetti versus cake. 🎂Knowing how to market the book before you write itDiscovering micro-tropes that appeal to readers (and one disadvantage of focusing too much on tropes)How to keep your writing creatively interesting when you’re staying in your laneRepackaging books when trends changeWhy she’d be more intentional about planning series if she were starting overHow she uses bonus scenes to get readers on her newsletter listAlternate special edition paperbacks💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportLinks: www.melanieharlow.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

Episode 208 / Want to write something a little bit different? How do you appeal to readers in one of the main genres, but also forge your own path? Margaret Lashley joins us to share how she created a subgenre of wacky, humor-filled mysteries that appeal to cozy readers as well as women’s fiction readers. How Margaret’s background in advertising helps her write fictionWhy Margaret only uses one social media siteHow she markets her genre-adjacent fictionWriting humor as well as crafting quirky, but relatable charactersWhy a backlist is important for longevity Author website: https://www.margaretlashley.com https://www.facebook.com/valandpalspageAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/B06XKJ3YD8💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportLinks: Findaway Voices by Spotify current TOS: https://my.findawayvoices.com/terms-of-use#Buzzcast’s episode about Spotify: https://buzzcast.buzzsprout.com/231452/14513452-spotify-s-new-podcast-strategyAuthor’s Republic: https://www.authorsrepublic.comSpoken Realms: https://spokenrealms.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

Episode 207 / Do you want to create a loyal readership interested in you, not just your genre? Do you want to up the romantic tension in your books? Rom-com author Emma St. Clair shares tips on these topics, plus much more: The minefield of romance terms used to describe heat level and toneWeighing the cost of taking a break from a seriesHandling the pressure that success bringsEmail building tipsAdding emotional connection to deepen swoony scenesPlanning an in-person reader retreatGoing hybrid with a traditional book deal for diversification Links: http://emmastclair.comhttp://instagram.com/kikimojoWIKT Ep 9: Clean Romance, Sustainability, and “Pantsing” books with Kirsten Oliphant💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode. https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportSend 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