In this video, I explain what Kickstarter is and why I'm publishing Spear of Destiny there first. Hello everyone. I'm thriller author J.F. Penn, and today I'm talking about what is Kickstarter and why am I launching my latest thriller Spear of Destiny on the platform? Well, if you've never heard of Kickstarter or never used it before, it's a crowdfunding platform where you can support creators to bring their projects to life. It's a different way of shopping for interesting and unusual books and products. Like a pre-order for special editions. You can support creators you already love, or fin ..read more

My next thriller, Spear of Destiny, is out now on Kickstarter, launching with a limited special signed First Edition with an exclusive cover. In this video, I introduce you to Morgan Sierra and the adventure in the story, as well as show you the various editions available in the Kickstarter. There's also a Discovery Writing webinar, which you might find interesting as a writer. Hello everyone. I'm Jo Frances (J.F.) Penn, Award-winning, New York Times and USA today bestselling thriller author, and I'm launching my next novel, Spear of Destiny on Kickstarter. Morgan Sierra is perhaps who I migh ..read more

How can you plan for success as an indie author even early in your writing career? How can you create multiple streams of income and multiple marketing channels, while still writing your books? Adam Beswick goes into his strategies. In the intro, Kickstarter announces new functionality to help creatives;Watch out for a scam email about ALLi [Writer Beware]; Gary Vaynerchuk on the shifting marketing arena [Marketing Against the Grain Podcast]; Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk; Camera free video options [Brave New Bookshelf] Plus, Microsoft Build event with new AI-enabled PCs and Copilot ..read more

How can you outline a story based on a ‘thought dump' and interweave genre tropes you love to create a successful book? How can you use video marketing to reach more readers, even if you are an introvert? Jenna Moreci gives her tips. In the intro, my new ProWritingAid tutorial; Embracing change and starting over [Wish I'd Known Then Podcast]; OpenAI released ChatGPT 4o; Using 4o as a tutor [Khan Academy]; Claude 3 now in Europe; Google IO announcements including Search impact [The Verge; My episode on impact of generative search; Hard Fork Podcast; Platformer]; Spear of Destiny Kickstarter, an ..read more

We all want to make our writing the best it can be, and in this video, I demonstrate how you can use ProWritingAid to improve your manuscript before working with a human editor. Watch below or here on YouTube. Time stamps 00:27 — Why use an editing tool anyway? 01:22 — How I use Scrivener with ProWritingAid and go through chapter by chapter 01:42 — Demo starts. Fixing typos, spacing issues and rephrases 03:01 — Fixing passive writing 03:47 — Fixing overwriting and tightening the manuscript 04:09 — Rephrasing 05:22 — Using Sparks to find new ideas and different directions 08:38 — Using the Rep ..read more

How can you use automation and tools to help you streamline your creative and business processes so you can get back to the writing? Chelle Honiker gives some mindset and practical tips. In the intro, IBPA guide to publishing models; We need to talk about independence [Self Publishing Advice article; my podcast episode with Orna Ross]; The Financial Times signs a partnership deal with OpenAI [FT]; The Big Leap — Gay Hendricks; AI Tools on Brave New Bookshelf; Spear of Destiny; Stone Hunters by Rod Penn; Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-publishing with support, where you c ..read more

How can you connect to readers in a way that is sustainable for you and effective at selling books? How can you choose the best platform when there are so many options? Dan Blank gives his recommendations. In the intro, TikTok ban signed into law in the USA [The Verge]; No One Buys Books [Elle Griffin]; Please stop bashing book publishing [Publishing Confidential]; The Hotsheet; Books sell, but book doesn't [Seth Godin]. Plus, my new podcast logo; Spear of Destiny finishing energy, artist's date at Salisbury Cathedral. Today's show is sponsored by my patrons! Join my community and get ac ..read more

How can you build a creative, sustainable career as a ‘mid-list' indie author? How can you design a business that works for you and your books over the long term? T. Thorn Coyle explains more in this episode. In the intro, BookVault bespoke printing options; Harper Collins partners with Eleven Labs for AI-narrated non-English audiobooks [Publishing Perspectives]; AI Publishing Formula Podcast; Brave New Bookshelf Podcast; “I’m not worried about AI, because I got my mojo working.” Stephen King; Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just g ..read more

How can you overcome your fears and make a life change towards your dreams? Or tackle the fears that stop you from writing and publishing your book? Rachael Herron talks about creating despite the fear, and getting unstuck in this interview. In the intro, Blackberry movie and IP questions; The Copyright Handbook by Steven Fishman; Co-Intelligence: Living and Working With AI by Ethan Mollick; London Screenwriters Festival; Lessons from my screenwriting course (2018); Catacomb on my store, and on other stores; Spear of Destiny Kickstarter. Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-p ..read more

What mindset shift do you need if you want to sell direct? How can you use Meta and AI tools to amplify your marketing? Matt Holmes gives his tips as well as insights from running my ads for my store, JFPennBooks.com. In the intro, how to sell more books at live events [BookBub]; Future of publishing and LBF, includes video of our live panel [Orna Ross on SelfPublishingAdvice]; 5 Trends we learned at the Future of Publishing [Kickstart Your Book Sales]; Author business and Author Nation [Wish I'd Known Then]; Amazon de-lists my Companion workbooks, but you can buy the spiral-bound versions and ..read more