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Activated Authors
By Activated AuthorsArts
Activated Authors episodes
- #016: Jon Cronshaw – Embracing the serial, using podcasts to connect with readers, and how stoicism can positively impact your writing life.
Jon Cronshaw is the bestselling author of such fiction titles as the ‘Wasteland' series, the ‘Ravenglass Chronicles’, ‘Blind Gambit’, and the non-fiction ’Stop Booking Around’. Jon’s titles span the genres of post-apocalyptic, epic fantasy, GameLit, and more.
As a former freelance features writer, Jon has had work published in local and national newspapers across the UK, including the Metro, Yorkshire Post and the Guardian.
He is also a self-confessed voracious reader, guide dog owner, ex-gamer, and certified geek
In this episode we go deep into:
- How Jon is embracing the serial story format to write larger works
- Jon’s approach to genre-hopping
- Looking at the long-game and knowing what your ‘why’ is
- Using tarot cards to influence your works
- Following your characters, instead of forcing the story
- Using podcasts to create your own accountability
- Creating personal connections with readers
- Using personal experience to write and connect
- Overcoming obstacles as a visually impaired writer
- Dictation and multi-purposing content
- Overcoming Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Embracing gratitude
- How stoicism can create a healthier look on reviews and approaching your writing
- How to switch off and find a routine that works for you
- Creating a flow state and removing distractions
Jon answers questions from Patrons:
Ian J Middleton: How has your interest in Stoicism impacted on your writing?
Find out more about Jon Cronshaw:
Author Diaries
Sci-Fi Roundtable
JonCronshaw.com
Links from the show:
Ravenglass Chronicles
Paul Teague’s Author Diaries
Ryan Holiday’s ‘Perennial Seller'
Kevin Kelly’s ‘1000 True Fans’
Streaks App
Jon’s UK Indie Author Accountability Group
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
Mark McClure
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
59 min - #015: Sacha Black – Becoming a rebel author, owning your fears, and following your own path.
Sacha Black has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules. She is the host of the brand-new Rebel Author podcast, and writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing. This year Sacha also began editing the advice blog and managing the Self-Publishing Advice Conference for the Alliance of Independent authors.
When Sacha's not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, blogging, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules.
In this episode we go deep into:
- Why sniffing books brings peace
- How being rebellious kickstarted a writing career
- Looking into your motivation to make it as a blogger
- Useful ways to absorb what you’re reading and remember long after the book is closed
- Remaining true to your voice instead of caving to pressure
- Self-expression and fighting back against the norms
- Why Sacha started the Rebel Author Podcast and what she hopes to achieve
- How to become aware of your fears and learning to conquer it
- Moving out of your own way
- How Sacha uses meditation and karate to focus mental health
- Being a night owl writer
- The two methods Sacha uses to plan non-fiction and fiction books
Find out more about Sacha Black:
sachablack.co.uk
Instagram @sachablackauthor
Twitter @sacha_black
13 Steps to Evil
Rebel Author podcast
Links from the show:
Jack Canfield - Success Principles
Tara Mohr - Playing Big
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
Mark McClure
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
1 hr 5 min - #015: Sacha Black – Becoming a rebel author, owning your fears, and following your own path.
Sacha Black has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules. She is the host of the brand-new Rebel Author podcast, and writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing. This year Sacha also began editing the advice blog and managing the Self-Publishing Advice Conference for the Alliance of Independent authors.
When Sacha's not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, blogging, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules.
In this episode we go deep into:
- Why sniffing books brings peace
- How being rebellious kickstarted a writing career
- Looking into your motivation to make it as a blogger
- Useful ways to absorb what you’re reading and remember long after the book is closed
- Remaining true to your voice instead of caving to pressure
- Self-expression and fighting back against the norms
- Why Sacha started the Rebel Author Podcast and what she hopes to achieve
- How to become aware of your fears and learning to conquer it
- Moving out of your own way
- How Sacha uses meditation and karate to focus mental health
- Being a night owl writer
- The two methods Sacha uses to plan non-fiction and fiction books
Find out more about Sacha Black:
sachablack.co.uk
Instagram @sachablackauthor
Twitter @sacha_black
13 Steps to Evil
Rebel Author podcast
Links from the show:
Jack Canfield - Success Principles
Tara Mohr - Playing Big
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
Mark McClure
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
1 hr 5 min - #014: Rachael Herron – Personal branding, dominating Patreon, and prioritising your mental health to enjoy the process.
Rachael Herron is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thriller (under R.H. Herron), mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She’s a fellow podcaster and is the host of the ‘How Do You Write’ podcast, as well as the co-host of ’The Writers Well’ podcast with previous guest of the show, J Thorn. And Rachael also runs annual writer’s retreats and delivers incredible essays on the creative life to her Patrons on Patreon.
In this episode we go deep into:
- Growing a successful Patreon and using the rewards to keep you productive
- Living on the surface and being fully transparent
- Finding the people who drive you
- How important connection is to a writer
- Creating a personal brand around the things you love
- Blogging in 2019/20
- Heading into a new genre under a new pen name
- Working with editors and agents in traditional publishing
- Attitudes between indie and traditional publishing
- Remaining positive and upbeat while looking after your mental health
- The perks of meditation
- Benefits of the silent retreat
Rachael answers questions from Patrons:
- Jon Cronshaw: Have you seen a change in the aspirations of your workshop attendees since the growth of indie publishing?
Find out more about Rachael Herron:
rachaelherron.com
patreon.com/rachael
Links from the show:
Stolen Things
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
1 hr - #014: Rachael Herron – Personal branding, dominating Patreon, and prioritising your mental health to enjoy the process.
Rachael Herron is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thriller (under R.H. Herron), mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She’s a fellow podcaster and is the host of the ‘How Do You Write’ podcast, as well as the co-host of ’The Writers Well’ podcast with previous guest of the show, J Thorn. And Rachael also runs annual writer’s retreats and delivers incredible essays on the creative life to her Patrons on Patreon.
In this episode we go deep into:
- Growing a successful Patreon and using the rewards to keep you productive
- Living on the surface and being fully transparent
- Finding the people who drive you
- How important connection is to a writer
- Creating a personal brand around the things you love
- Blogging in 2019/20
- Heading into a new genre under a new pen name
- Working with editors and agents in traditional publishing
- Attitudes between indie and traditional publishing
- Remaining positive and upbeat while looking after your mental health
- The perks of meditation
- Benefits of the silent retreat
Rachael answers questions from Patrons:
- Jon Cronshaw: Have you seen a change in the aspirations of your workshop attendees since the growth of indie publishing?
Find out more about Rachael Herron:
rachaelherron.com
patreon.com/rachael
Links from the show:
Stolen Things
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
1 hr - #013: Michaelbrent Collings – Confessions of a Super-villain, tackling mental health, and mastering genre-hopping.
Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally bestselling novelist, produced screenwriter, and multiple Bram Stoker Award finalist. While he is best known for horror (and is one of the most successful indie horror authors in the United States), he's also written bestselling thriller, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, humor, young adult, and middle grade works, and Western Romance.
As a novelist, Michaelbrent has written dozens of bestsellers that have received critical acclaim, and he and his work have been featured on everything from mom-and-pop podcasts to Publishers Weekly, The San Francisco Book Review, NPR, and he’s recently given his first ever Ted Talk at TedX Rexburg
In this episode we go deep into:
- How Michael, as a horror author, celebrates Halloween
- Genre-hopping dos and don'ts
- Working within genres and keeping true to your interests
- Keeping on top of reading across so many genres
- Acquiring a TedX Talk
- The trials of living with mental health issues and finding mechanisms to cope
- How mental health issues have influenced Michaelbrent’s writing
- How Michaelbrent has created an empire around story
- Balancing work and social life as a full-time author
- Using parenthood as your break and inspiration
- Using humor to convey your story and grab reader’s attention, even in horror
- The many different masks of running an independent publishing business
- Why does Michaelbrent write?
Michaelbrent answers questions from Patrons:
- Harley Christensen: What tips do you have for moving beyond the mustache-twirling, cookie-cutter villains to create captivating, compelling and relatable baddies that readers hate to love (but do so anyway)? What are some of your favorite examples of villains done well (and why)?
- Ian J Middleton: What was the most challenging genre to write in?" and "what piece of work are you most proud of?
- Jon Cronshaw: How do you brand/market himself to so many disparate groups of readers?
Find out more about Michaelbrent Collings:
http://writteninsomnia.com/
Links from the show:
Confessions of a Super-villain TedX Talk
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
44 min - #013: Michaelbrent Collings – Confessions of a Super-villain, tackling mental health, and mastering genre-hopping.
Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally bestselling novelist, produced screenwriter, and multiple Bram Stoker Award finalist. While he is best known for horror (and is one of the most successful indie horror authors in the United States), he's also written bestselling thriller, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, humor, young adult, and middle grade works, and Western Romance.
As a novelist, Michaelbrent has written dozens of bestsellers that have received critical acclaim, and he and his work have been featured on everything from mom-and-pop podcasts to Publishers Weekly, The San Francisco Book Review, NPR, and he’s recently given his first ever Ted Talk at TedX Rexburg
In this episode we go deep into:
- How Michael, as a horror author, celebrates Halloween
- Genre-hopping dos and don'ts
- Working within genres and keeping true to your interests
- Keeping on top of reading across so many genres
- Acquiring a TedX Talk
- The trials of living with mental health issues and finding mechanisms to cope
- How mental health issues have influenced Michaelbrent’s writing
- How Michaelbrent has created an empire around story
- Balancing work and social life as a full-time author
- Using parenthood as your break and inspiration
- Using humor to convey your story and grab reader’s attention, even in horror
- The many different masks of running an independent publishing business
- Why does Michaelbrent write?
Michaelbrent answers questions from Patrons:
- Harley Christensen: What tips do you have for moving beyond the mustache-twirling, cookie-cutter villains to create captivating, compelling and relatable baddies that readers hate to love (but do so anyway)? What are some of your favorite examples of villains done well (and why)?
- Ian J Middleton: What was the most challenging genre to write in?" and "what piece of work are you most proud of?
- Jon Cronshaw: How do you brand/market himself to so many disparate groups of readers?
Find out more about Michaelbrent Collings:
http://writteninsomnia.com/
Links from the show:
Confessions of a Super-villain TedX Talk
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
44 min - #012: Kealan Patrick Burke – Fighting the demons, the changing world of indie, and trusting the process.
Kealan Patrick Burke is a writer, cover designer, and life-long fan of the macabre. He has written five novels, over a hundred short stories, six collections, and edited four acclaimed anthologies. In 2004, Kealan was honored with the Horror Writers’ Association’s Bram Stoker Award for his novella 'The Turtle Boy', and he now also designs book covers through his design company, Elder Lemon design.
In this episode we go deep into:
- Diagnosing what’s missing from works in progress
- Only delivering your best work
- Letting the story tell you what it wants
- Percolating ideas to let them mature before you write it
- Keeping up with the changes in independent publishing
- The slowly evolving landscape of horror
- Audiobooks and the increasing demand
- The secret power of actually responding to fans on social media
- Creating book covers which are instagrammable
- Dealing with imposter syndrome and fighting the demons
- How to balance book cover design with writing
- Where the inspiration comes from for his art style
Kealan answers questions from Patrons:
- Ian J Middleton: when it comes to writing horror, what do you find the most enjoyable and the most challenging?"
- Ian J Middleton: Do you have a particular process when it comes to designing covers?
Find out more about Kealan Patrick Burke:
- kealanpatrickburke.com
- elderlemondesign.net
- Twitter
- Instagram
Links from the show:
- Kealan’s Amazon page
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
1 hr 3 min - #012: Kealan Patrick Burke – Fighting the demons, the changing world of indie, and trusting the process.
Kealan Patrick Burke is a writer, cover designer, and life-long fan of the macabre. He has written five novels, over a hundred short stories, six collections, and edited four acclaimed anthologies. In 2004, Kealan was honored with the Horror Writers’ Association’s Bram Stoker Award for his novella 'The Turtle Boy', and he now also designs book covers through his design company, Elder Lemon design.
In this episode we go deep into:
- Diagnosing what’s missing from works in progress
- Only delivering your best work
- Letting the story tell you what it wants
- Percolating ideas to let them mature before you write it
- Keeping up with the changes in independent publishing
- The slowly evolving landscape of horror
- Audiobooks and the increasing demand
- The secret power of actually responding to fans on social media
- Creating book covers which are instagrammable
- Dealing with imposter syndrome and fighting the demons
- How to balance book cover design with writing
- Where the inspiration comes from for his art style
Kealan answers questions from Patrons:
- Ian J Middleton: when it comes to writing horror, what do you find the most enjoyable and the most challenging?"
- Ian J Middleton: Do you have a particular process when it comes to designing covers?
Find out more about Kealan Patrick Burke:
- kealanpatrickburke.com
- elderlemondesign.net
- Twitter
- Instagram
Links from the show:
- Kealan’s Amazon page
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
1 hr 3 min - #011: Kathrin Hutson – Building a career around story, award-nominated books, and critiquing films at 10-years-old.
Kathrin Hutson is an author of dark fantasy and sci-fi fiction, runs her own editing business, KLH CreateWorks, and is the fiction editor for the Mud Season Review, an international literary journal run by members of the Burlington Writers Workshop.
Kathrin’s book ‘Sleepwater Beat’ was a sci-fi finalist in the 2019 international book awards, and her new book, ’The Summoner Thief’, will be available on October 8th of this year.
In this episode we go deep into:
- Kathrin’s journey from 10-year-old film critic to award-nominated author
- Studying creative writing through school to college
- Transitioning from writing to editing
- When have you learned enough to become a ‘professional’?
- How it’s possible to create a career from your creative passion
- Advice for anyone who wants to get into editing as a career
- Finding mentors to help you develop by putting aside your ego
- Finding unique ways to create engagement online with your readers
- Building the confidence to promote with video
- Stephen King’s ‘Dark Tower’ series
- Using your network to overcome your fears
Kathrin answers questions from Patrons:
- Harley Christensen: What is your favourite place to write?
- Harley Christensen: How do you reward yourself when you've completed a project?
Find out more about Kathrin:
kathrinhutsonfiction.com
Facebook page
Exquisite... wait, WHAT? (with Kathrin Hutson)
Kathrin’s Instagram
Kathrin’s Twitter
Links from the show:
Kathrin’s Dark Tower review video
Special thanks to:
Intro vocals: Persephone Rose
Show theme: Karl Hughes
Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.
Thank you to my patrons:
David Hines
Harley Christensen
Jon Cronshaw
Jenn Mitchell
Innes Richens
Ian J Middleton
PT Hylton
Michael Anderle
Jerry Evanoff
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
1 hr 8 min
About Activated Authors
From the publisher's feed
Activated Authors is an online author community centered around principles of healthy productivity, community, and shared knowledge. Founded by international bestselling author, award-winning…
podcaster, and author coach, Daniel Willcocks, the group aims to help authors and creatives of all levels achieve their creative goals and thrive as part of a healthy, positive community.