For many authors, being a part of an anthology is one way to share your story with the readers of other authors. While it looks good on paper - a group of authors joining forces to release an anthology with a collection of stories - it can also be akin to opening a can of worms. S.E. Smith has been in many anthologies, in particular, the annual Pets in Space anthology of original, never before published stories. Narelle has been the marketing strategiest for the Pets in Space anthology. In this ...
Mar 08, 2022•17 min•Ep. 56
For so many authors, all you wanted to do was write books and chances are, that you didn't realize that once you hit the publish button that you just became the CEO of your own business. As boss, you are responsible for not only creating the product (books) but creating and implementing your marketing, balancing your accounts, and so much more. In this podcast, we look at how to take control of your business so you can do all the things expected of you as a business owner, but most importantly, ...
Mar 01, 2022•27 min•Ep. 55
If you have ever found yourself pulling back on marketing or not doing the marketing you know you should be, then you have a limiting belief that needs to be released. How do you release a limiting belief so you can get back on track with your book sales? We discuss this in this week's podcast.
Feb 21, 2022•14 min•Ep. 54
As a business coach for authors, I see all too often how money mindset has a big impact on the continued success of an author. Once authors were able to kick the money shame in their brain to the curb and get rid of negative financial habits holding them back, they were finally able to make mental, emotional, and physical space for money to find its way into their wallet (where it should be) and operate their author business and life with cash-confidence. In this podcast, we talk about how to ma...
Feb 14, 2022•17 min•Ep. 53
It's so easy to fall into the trap of chasing the next big thing. Some call it 'Shiny Object Syndrome' when you hear of a marketing tactic that has gained success for an author and you decide to jump in to for fear of missing out. But are all new marketing tactics shiny objects or are some valid ways to reach new readers thereby a tactic you want to add to your arsenal. In this podcast, we discuss how to tell the difference between a valid marketing tactic and a shiny object....
Feb 07, 2022•17 min•Ep. 52
What do you do as an author when you discover your book title is the same. How about as a reader? In this podcast, we discuss what to do when you discover another author has used the same title as your book AND you are in the same genre. Sneak peak! No pitchforks or tar are involved lol.
Jan 31, 2022•11 min•Ep. 51
S.E. Smith (Susan) is celebrating her 10th year as a self-published author, selling over 3 million books in a small genre and making the New York Times and USAToday Bestselling list multiple times. In this podcast, Susan and Narelle chat about Susan's author journey, what she would do differently if starting out now, and her big aha moment.
Jan 24, 2022•22 min•Ep. 50
Veteran author of multiple genres, Donna MacDonald, is our guest on the podcast today and she shares lessons learnt in crafting an extraordinary writing career. Listen in here...
Jan 18, 2022•40 min•Ep. 49
What if you could deepen the connection between your world and your readers? You have made your world come alive through words. Now it is time to deepen the connection between your world and your readers through games. In this week's podcast, we discuss how to use games to increase book sales, reader engagement, and marketing.
Jan 12, 2022•13 min•Ep. 48
You have made your world come alive through words. Now it is time to deepen the connection between your world and your readers through artwork. In this week's podcast, we discuss how to use artwork to increase book sales, reader engagement, and marketing.
Jan 12, 2022•19 min•Ep. 47
One of the three fundamentals of book sales is the book cover. It can make or break a book because a key reader decision to buy is the visual appeal of your book cover. So, what things make a good book cover? How do you know what the right cover is to use? Can you create your own or leave it to the professionals? We answer these and other book cover questions in our podcast today.
Jan 12, 2022•18 min•Ep. 46
Book piracy is huge with the capability to reproduce like rabbits. Trying to prevent your work being stolen is like playing a game of whack-a-mole, as soon as you find one site and fill in a take down notice, another two book piracy sites pop up. Domestic laws are helpful within your own country but selling books is an international business and there is no consistent world-wide approach to piracy which enables pirate websites around the world to flourish. Is there a solution? Do authors accept ...
Jan 12, 2022•20 min•Ep. 45
In this special edition for Christmas 2021, Susan and Narelle chat with Pauline Baird Jones from BlushFreeBooks.com about Pauline's quest to provide a safe place for readers who love action and adventure, suspense and mystery, without sex on the page. Think of BlushFreeBooks.com as stories somewhere between the Sweet and Spicy genres. If you love stories with grit and heart but prefer the steamy stuff behind closed doors, then BlushFreeBooks is where you need to head....
Dec 15, 2021•14 min
Somewhere in time we started believing that to be organized we needed to have everything off our desk because a clear desk (or space) meant we were efficient, organized and in control. In reality, all it meant was that we had a clear desk lol. We each have our own way of being organized and for many that means piles of paper spread all over our desks or in see through containers. If your Organizing Style is to have everything in sight then this session is for you. In this podcast we discuss what...
Dec 14, 2021•15 min•Ep. 44
Writing in another author's world is a great way to gain experience, discover new readers, and collaborate with other authors. In this podcast, we give you the inside information on what you need to consider when writing in an author created world, how to create your own author world, and what to do if you want to write in a fan fiction world
Dec 07, 2021•13 min•Ep. 43
This podcast is all about author created worlds, creating your own author world, and writing in a fan fiction world. Writing in an existing world is a great way to gain experience, discover new readers, collaborate with other authors, or try your hand at writing. In this podcast, we give you the inside information on what you need to consider when writing in an author created world, how to create your own author world, and what to do if you want to write in a fan fiction world....
Nov 30, 2021•21 min•Ep. 42
In this podcast, we take a deep dive into conventions as both a reader and an author and how to make the most of your time at a Con. What are the most important things for an author to do at a Con? Hint: it is not to thrust your book at every passerby!
Nov 25, 2021•23 min•Ep. 41
Goodreads is an incredibly powerful tool for an author and yet misconceptions abound which prevent authors from tapping into the goldmine that is Goodreads. In this episode, we have a look at how you can use the strengths of Goodreads to connect with readers and promote your books to a new audience.
Nov 18, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this podcast, we look at how to edit your story on a budget. Editing can be a stressful part of the finishing of your book but with the right tools and people helping you, you can release a highly polished edited story on a tight budget.
Nov 09, 2021•18 min•Ep. 39
In this podcast, we share our three top apps that help us write faster, easier, and better. What are the best tools to use when you are writing your story? Listen in.
Oct 27, 2021•21 min•Ep. 38
In this podcast, we're talking about apps that keep us organized. I don't know if anyone has ever had a month like me when you just go, "Oh my gosh, there's too much work and not enough hours in the day". These are the apps that keeps us sane and productive!!
Sep 20, 2021•20 min•Ep. 37
So what happens when a plot or a character surprises you? How do you embrace them and tap into the excitement that you're feeling about the stories and about the characters and about the plot twists that come into it? In this podcast, we give you tips for what to do when a plot or character surprises you with a twist. And not one of those tips involves throwing the twist out!
Sep 13, 2021•13 min•Ep. 36
A lot is written about writing author newsletters and tricks to getting your subscribers to open them. We have found a simple 3-step process works best and we share our process with you in this podcast. Don't knock it because it's simple. Simple works!
Sep 06, 2021•16 min•Ep. 35
Finances can be a dirty word when you're starting out with your author business. You so badly want to get your books out there, that you forget to balance the books as you chase your dream and start spending tomorrow's money, today. In this podcast, we look at how to get clear on your finances and put in place systems that will help you manage this important aspect of your business.
Aug 30, 2021•23 min•Ep. 34
There will be times when you have been silent with your list for an extended period. Often the fear in reconnecting with your untended list is that people will unsubscribe or not remember who you are! 😱 and so you do not take any action. In this podcast, we share our five step framework to reconnect with a list you have neglected in a way that is genuine and designed to get your subscribers engaged with you....
Aug 23, 2021•16 min•Ep. 33
For many authors, working on the road is a choice as writing can be a mobile business. From working on the road full time or part time or just when on vacation, we share three tips for success to staying productive and efficient while traveling including how to embrace the many visual distractions rather than seeing them as a negative.
Aug 16, 2021•20 min•Ep. 32
Ever been challenged in meeting deadlines? Yes, it's a rhetorical question really because we all have times when we feel overwhelmed by multiple deadlines. In our podcast today, we are talking about three tips on how to meet deadlines or how to deal with deadlines.
Aug 09, 2021•16 min•Ep. 31
Releasing your book involves opening yourself up to receiving feedback, some of which is constructive and some which can be personal, hurtful, harsh, and negative. How do you not take other people's negative comments personally when they've just called your 'baby' ugly? In this podcast, we tease out ideas for how to not take things personally and stay balanced and keep writing.
Aug 02, 2021•17 min•Ep. 30
All too often we focus on selling an individual book, forgetting the marketing power a series can offer you to sell more books in the entire series. Having books in a series adds to your marketing power and in this podcast we look at four ways you can tap into the power of marketing your book AND marketing your series as a whole. Let's get selling!!
Jul 27, 2021•10 min•Ep. 29
Libraries offer authors an opportunity to get their books in front of new readers. In this podcast, we share how to get your books into the library system and to make the most out of this opportunity.
Jul 19, 2021•10 min•Ep. 28
