The Wordslinger Podcast

Discover more at WordSlingerPodcast.com🌟 This episode dives deep as Kevin Tumlinson takes you behind the scenes on what it means to face “toxic hope”—when you’re waiting on that big opportunity that never quite arrives—and the emotional toll it can take. From pandemic-triggered anxiety to the challenges of creative burnout, Kevin shares his personal struggles, revelations, and how he reframed hope as a powerful force (not a toxic one). Tune in for honest talk about mental health, storytelling, and how to keep your creative spark alive when life gets overwhelming.In this episode, you’ll hear about:* What “toxic hope” really means—and why the term might be misleading* Enduring deferred dreams, creative frustration, and the quest to stay motivated* How the pandemic and world events triggered a spiral into burnout and depression* Reflections on powerful storytelling (and what writers can learn from This Is Us)* Tips for authentic connection in writing and podcasting* The value of hope—even when things feel impossible* Updates on Kevin’s latest writing projects with J.D. Barker📎 Show Links:* Author Anchor (authoranchor.com/promo) – Kevin’s sponsor! Get $50 off your first month of VA service—no contracts or obligations. Book your free discovery call now.* WordSlingerPodcast.com – Find every episode, leave a comment, or connect directly with Kevin.* Kevin’s Substack – Weekly posts & updates direct from Kevin.* Dave Cullen Show – YouTube channel for movie & TV reviews mentioned in the episode.🔥 Sponsor Spotlight:Author AnchorVirtual assistance for authors, tailored to your needs!👉 Visit authoranchor.com/promo for your free discovery call and $50 OFF your first month!⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps:* [00:00:00] – Exhausting weeks & podcast marathon recap* [00:01:13] – Author Anchor plug & VA discovery call* [00:03:17] – The pain of deferred hopes & “toxic hope” defined* [00:07:12] – Hope and anxiety in today’s world* [00:08:26] – Storytelling lessons from This Is Us* [00:10:39] – Pandemic triggers, burnout, and lost hope* [00:13:47] – Dealing with depression & creative paralysis* [00:17:03] – Why podcasting and writing matter now more than ever* [00:19:46] – Hope, stress, and late-night writing anxiety* [00:22:46] – Updates on writing, Substack, and authentic connection* [00:25:02] – Spontaneity vs. over-preparation in creative work* [00:28:54] – Closing encouragement: why hope mattersLooking for vulnerable, real stories and actionable insights for creatives? Subscribe, like, and share! Want to connect? Leave a comment at wordslingerpodcast.com or reach out on Substack.Hope isn’t toxic—sometimes, it’s just the spark you need.Watch on YouTube Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com🎯 Check out our sponsors:ProWritingAid: Use code KEVIN20 for 20% off at checkout (visit: https://prowritingaid.com/?utm_source=wordslinger&utm_medium=partner-podcast&utm_campaign=YT-alwayson&utm_content=&utm_term=)In this exciting episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, hosts Kevin Tumlinson chats with Phil Marshall from Spoken about the future of audiobooks and AI technology in publishing. Dive into the world of AI-driven multicast audiobooks, the potential for custom voice generation, and democratizing the audiobook industry for indie authors. If you're an author or a creative looking to enter the audiobook space, this episode is packed with insights and opportunities you don’t want to miss!Show links:* Spoken (spoken.press) - AI-driven audiobook platform* Doctor Phil Marshall (drphilmarshall.com) - Personal and professional insights from Phil Marshall* Author Anchor (authoranchor.com/promotion) - VA service connecting authors with skilled virtual assistantsImportant Topics & Timestamps:* [00:00:00] - Introduction and purpose of the episode* [00:02:13] - Discussion about AI in audiobooks and introduction of Phil Marshall* [00:11:04] - Explanation of multicast and custom voices* [00:24:28] - Building listener engagement and platform growth* [00:33:08] - Monetization models and fair distribution* [00:40:39] - Call to action with promo code for beta access* [01:07:33] - Closing thoughts and call to action🔔 Looking for more writing and publishing insights? Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes!WATCH ON YOUTUBE Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com🎯 Check out our sponsors: ProWritingAid - Use code KEVIN20 for 20% off at checkoutIn this episode, Kevin Tumlinson delves into deep existential questions about the nature of reality and consciousness while introducing his unique "Render Theory." Kevin explores abstract concepts that marry philosophy and science, touching on multiverse ideas, quantum physics, and his personal writing processes. Whether you’re interested in the nature of existence or the philosophical underpinnings of creative writing, there's something for everyone in this thought-provoking discussion.Show links:* Author Anchor (authoranchor.com) - VA service connecting authors with skilled virtual assistants* Wordslinger Podcast (wordslingerpodcast.com) - Explore more episodes and updates* Kevin's Website (kevintumlinson.com) - Discover more about Kevin's workImportant Topics & Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction and welcome [00:01:06] - Exploring existential questions and Render Theory [00:10:06] - Inspiration from comic books and multiverse concepts [00:25:37] - Dualism and subjective vs. objective reality [00:32:13] - Writing journey with JD Barker [00:35:31] - Shifts in writing approach and overcoming creative blockLooking for more intriguing discussions and writing insights? Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes! 🔔Watch on YouTube Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

Delve into the Perspective Economy, where genuine human connections take precedence over fleeting attention. Discover insights from a recent Writer MBA conference that redefine success in creativity, emphasizing quality over quantity. Explore the paradox of technology, enhancing connection yet fostering division. Uncover brand fatigue and evolving consumer expectations, highlighting the need for authenticity. Finally, navigate the Artisan Economy, where service and perspective become crucial commodities in today's business landscape.

Wordslinger Podcast, Episode 257Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com🎯 Check out our sponsor: ProWritingAid - Use code KEVIN20 for 20% off at checkoutIn this episode of the WordSlinger Podcast, Kevin Tumlinson is flying solo and diving deep into the world of writing and author services. He reveals how authors can focus more on their writing and leave the tedious tasks to skilled virtual assistants through Author Anchor. Kevin discusses the benefits of combining human intelligence with AI for an optimal writing and business experience, shares his personal journey towards author autonomy, and provides tips on effectively working with virtual assistants.Show links:* Author Anchor (authoranchor.com) - VA service connecting authors with skilled virtual assistants* ProWritingAid (prowritingaid.com) - Assistive editing tool for writers* Kevin's Substack (kevintumlinson.substack.com) - Regular updates and insightsImportant Topics & Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to solo Slinger episode [00:01:21] - Details on the Writer MBA conference [00:07:06] - The need for author autonomy [08:07] - The efficiency of AI combined with human intelligence [22:15] - Author Anchor overview and pricing [28:50] - Benefits of working with a VA [35:34] - Kevin's thoughts on the author industry changes [36:42] - Call for next big franchise ideasLooking for more writing and publishing insights? Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes! 🔔WATCH ON YOUTUBE Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

Joseph Finder, a bestselling thriller writer known for "The Oligarch's Daughter," discusses his journey from aspiring author to bestseller. He shares insights on the persistence required in writing and adapting to global events. Listeners will discover the intricate balance between planning and spontaneity in storytelling, as well as the impact of modern themes like politics on narrative. Finder also reflects on the role of AI in content creation and the importance of embracing innovation in the ever-evolving publishing landscape.

Eric Cogorno, a YouTube golf sensation and personal development enthusiast, joins to share his insights on merging golf and self-improvement. He reveals how lessons from the golf course foster patience and resilience in life. The discussion touches on his transition from one-on-one coaching to impactful content creation on social media. With an intriguing look at his upcoming book, Cogorno emphasizes the joy of writing and navigating personal challenges, blending nostalgia with practical advice for overcoming everyday frustrations.

Evan Gow, the creator of StoryOrigin, shares his expertise in simplifying author marketing and enhancing business processes. He dives into the platform's innovative features like website building and direct sales capabilities. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing writing with business demands while preserving creativity. Evan emphasizes the value of local engagement and building a supportive writing community. He also offers insights into leveraging virtual assistants for increased productivity and personal growth.

Join Kevin Tumlinson for an enlightening conversation with bestselling author Steve Berry about his new book "The Medici Return" and his 35-year journey in publishing. Steve shares insights about his path to success, including overcoming 85 rejections, how Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" changed the thriller genre, and his approach to crafting tighter, more compelling novels.In the Note at the End, Kevin provides updates on several exciting projects, including his role as Chief Branding Officer for AuthorAnchor.com, consulting work with Plottr's new StorySnap tool, and upcoming speaking engagements.Links mentioned:* Buy Steve Berry’s “The Medici Return” - https://amzn.to/3EPzOFe * Steve Berry’s website: https://steveberry.org* Find an author VA - AuthorAnchor.com * Try out Storysnap - Plottr.com * Get your tickets for the Author Nation Conference, 2024 - AuthorNation.live * KevinTumlinson.Substack.com * KevinTumlinson.com/contact Key Topics: 0:00 - Introduction 2:19 - ProWritingAid sponsor message 4:10 - Interview with Steve Berry begins 13:56 - Steve's writing journey and rejections 21:32 - Impact of Dan Brown on the thriller genre 34:21 - Writing process and craft discussion 36:35 - Note at the End begins - Kevin's updates 54:30 - AuthorAnchor VA service details 1:05:44 - ThruLine Consulting overview 1:10:10 - Closing thoughts and where to find Kevin online#writing #publishing #authors #thriller #SteveBerry Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I sit down with Sally McQuillen, a psychotherapist and author of the upcoming memoir "Reaching for Beautiful: A Memoir of Loving and Losing a Wild Child." Sally shares her powerful journey of processing grief through writing after losing her son Christopher, and how journaling on her phone eventually evolved into a full memoir.Key Topics & Timestamps:[05:01] Sally discusses her connection to "wild" personalities and her son Christopher[15:57] The therapeutic benefits of journaling through grief[21:52] How Sally's writing group helped shape her memoir[26:54] Working with She Writes Press and editor Brooke Warner[31:21] The special significance of the book's April 2025 release date[34:01] End of interviewSpecial Note at the End [35:40]: Discussion about changes coming to the podcast format and reducing interview frequency in favor of more solo episodes.Don't miss next week's episode featuring bestselling author Steve Berry! Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe