In this episode, Kenny talks with Abigail K. Perry about writing query letters. Abigail is the host of the Lit Match podcast, a show that helps writers find the best literary agent for their writing and literary career. Abigail talks with us about what a query letter is and some mistakes you should avoid when writing them and has some great advice on choosing comparable titles. She also talks about the three paragraphs every query letter should have; the hook, the book, and the cook. If you are looking to publish traditionally, this episode will add so much value to your writing journey. Highl ..read more

We dive deep into the world of writing romance. In this episode, we're thrilled to have bestselling romance author Olivia Gaines as our guest. Olivia shares valuable insights on how to overcome the common pitfalls that writers encounter when crafting love stories. Whether you're looking to create compelling love scenes, establish deep connections between your characters, or keep a romance series going strong, this interview is packed with practical tips and techniques. Olivia also delves into creating romantic tension, incorporating themes of self-love and self-discovery, and finding the right ..read more

In today’s episode, we are talking about entering writing contests. Kenny talks with Paula Sheridan, the founder of the Page Turner Awards, about how authors can enter, what they can in, and why they should even consider entering in the first place. Paula shares her insights into this topic and provides some practical tips and mistakes to avoid. Highlights • Paula’s story • Page Turner Awards • Submitting to the Page Turner Awards • What do you win? • How writing contests can help you • Who are contests for • Biggest mistakes when entering contests • When should a writer enter Visit the Show N ..read more

In this episode, we are talking about sensitivity readers. I had the pleasure of speaking with author J.H. Dahler about her experience of working with one. And as a bonus, we are joined by Candice Roma, who is an editor and and Jodie's sensitivity reader. They both share their perspective on the process and how sensitivity reading can improve representation in literature. This is an insightful conversation that sheds light on the importance of inclusivity in storytelling and the role of sensitivity readers in ensuring authentic representation. Highlights What is a sensitivity reader? Jodie's e ..read more

If you've ever found yourself struggling to categorize your writing or wondering why certain books fit into specific categories, then this episode is for you. We'll start by discussing why genre is essential in fiction writing and how it helps readers find books they enjoy. Next, we'll delve into the two main types of genres: commercial genres and content genres. We'll explain their differences and explore the various sub-genres that fall within each category. Highlights What is genre? What to do when your story fits into multiple categories Five things our content genre can tell you about yo ..read more

Do you have questions about traditional publishing? As a first-time author, you probably have a lot of questions about everything. In this episode, Kenny talks with traditionally published author Mary Adkins about the four biggest questions she gets asked all the time. She will share her experience on everything from agents to royalties and more. Highlights:   How do I know if I need a literary agent? How do I get a book deal? What’s it like working with an editor? How much can I expect to earn from publishing?   Sign Up for a FREE 30-Day Trial of the Novel Factory ..read more

In this episode, Kenny talks with Katja Kaine, the creator of Novel Factory, a purpose-built software for novel writers. With her experience as an author, she created Novel Factory to help writers achieve their goals by providing them with the tools they need to streamline their writing process. Katja will share her journey as a writer and the story behind the creation of Novel Factory. Highlights How does the software help authors Key features of the Novel Factory Writing Resources included Price Success Stories Future Plans Author Action Point ..read more

In this episode, I talk with Emily Layne about how to write a book in 30 days. Emily has written several books in just 21 days, and she shares some tips and tricks to help you write yours. She shares how she writes fast and writes quality books that have been picked up by a traditional publisher. Highlights 01:48 Emily's story 05:55 Process of writing a book in a month 09:54 How do you create a quality book in a short time frame 19:42 Staying motivated 27:00 Tips to be more productive 35:09 The Prep before the writing 40:20 Author Action Point Visit the Show Notes page for more ..read more

Getting local media coverage for your book can be a great way to increase visibility and sales in your community. By reaching out to local newspapers, radio stations, and television programs, you can pitch your book to journalists and producers and potentially secure interviews or feature articles. This type of coverage can be especially valuable for authors who are self-publishing or have a small publisher, as it can help to build buzz and awareness for your book among your target audience.   Highlights   01:45 Introduction to Mickie Kennedy 04:25 Why authors often shy away from med ..read more

When Matty Dalrymple created the idea of the story frame, she didn't want it to be just another name for an outline. For some, an outline is rigid, whereas the story frame feels a little more organic. This frame gives an author a clear picture of the overarching story and gives you something to hang everything else on. 05:45 The Indy Author Podcast 09:32 What a story frame is 15:16 Formatting 24:23 How long the process takes 33:21 How you can create a frame 41:54 Differentiating plots and subplots 43:49 How to know you've gone too far 50:17 Author Action Point ..read more