AM I WRITE?

Tune in to the conversation with author of 3 series and over 15 books: Alex Bledsoe, as he shares his experiences with fantasy in real life, rejection, and two seemingly opposite genres that will make you pee your pants. 

Whether you’re writing fantasy, thriller, or modern day fiction, Alex explains how it’s all rooted around real life–and why that humanity is more important than any fantasy world you can build. Hear why humor is harder to portray than other human emotions (such as love or terror), the benefits of niche publishing houses, and the reality behind the grueling query process. Alex will share truths from his journey to becoming a published novel from age 18 to 44 and more on this episode of Am I Write? 

Resources

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Alexbledsoe.com

Books by Alex (Including the upcoming new release, Dandelion)

About Alex Bledsoe

Alex grew up in Tennessee an hour north of Graceland (home of Elvis) and twenty minutes from Nutbush (birthplace of Tina Turner). He has been a reporter, photographer, editor, and door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman.

He now lives in a Wisconsin town famous for trolls, writes before six in the morning, and tries to teach his three kids to act like they’ve been to town before.

Stop getting caught up in “sharpening your pencils” and do the number one thing it takes to be an author: write the book! 

Mutlipublished author of regency romance Kristi Ann Hunter shares wisdom from her journey as a writer on this episode of Am I Write? The truth: there is no secret sauce. Understand that your personal writing path will be different from the dream pathway, and that’s okay! Accept critiques for the helpful information they’re meant to be and use them to your advantage–be sure your manuscript is ready. Identify whether your genre will require an immersive point of view and hear the advantages of pulling it off. Lastly, give second thought to your first line; it’s vital you hook, line, and sink ‘em!

Resources

Instagram

Sign up for Kristi’s Newsletter (Keep an eye out for her new book releasing this fall!)

Website

About Kristi Ann Hunter
Award-winning author Kristi Ann Hunter has spun chocolate, faith, and diet lemonade into more than a dozen Christian Fiction romances. Find out more at KristiAnnHunter.com or by following Kristi Ann Hunter on Instagram.

Switching from romance in the middle ages to modern rom-com style books, today’s guest on Am I Write? is a fictional romance expert. Hear how writing the story in your head can begin your writing path the right way and get Kortney Keisel's thoughts on witty banter, the unsuspected leaps and setbacks of writing in a new era or genre, and taking your characters to vulnerable places.

“I would say just finish it. Because the second you write it to the end, that feels like the biggest accomplishment.” 

Resources

Instagram

TikTok

Website: kortneykeisel.com

Books by Kortney Keisel


About Kortney Keisel
Kortney loves all things romance. Her devotion to romance was first apparent at three years old when her family caught her kissing the walls (she attributes this embarrassing part of her life to her mother's affinity for watching soap operas like Days of Our Lives). Luckily, Kortney has outgrown that phase and now only kisses her husband. Most days, Kortney is your typical stay-at-home mom. She has five kids that keep her busy cleaning, carpooling, and cooking.

Writing books was never part of Kortney's plan. She graduated from the University of Utah with an English degree and spent a few years before motherhood teaching 7th and 8th graders how to write a book report. But after a reading slump, where no plots seemed to satisfy, Kortney pulled out her laptop and started writing the "perfect" love story...or at least she tried. Her debut novel, The Promised Prince, took four years to write, mostly because she never worked on it and didn't plan on doing anything with it.

Kortney has written seven books. Four in the young adult dystopian romance genre and three in adult romantic comedy. Her debut novel, The Promised Prince, was a finalist for a Whitney Award and won a Swoony Award for Best Dystopian.

Guest and multi-published author Jennifer Nielsen joins host Sheridan Sharp to remind you that what you do as a writer does matter. Keep persistence but also stay humble, and you’ll be surprised at the opportunities that come your way. Gain Jennifer’s unique insight as an artist who comes not from a writing background but a theater background. Compare the arts’–no matter the medium–affinity to tell stories. Hear her answers to genuine questions posed by young kids who are fans of her work. 

Resources

Website: www.jennielsen.com

Social Handle: @nielsenwriter

Instagram 

Twitter

Atlas Obscura Website

About Jennifer Nielsen

Jennifer Nielsen is the New York Times Bestselling author of the Ascendance Series, the Traitor's Game series; historical novels such as A Night Divided, Resistance, Words on Fire, and her latest release, Lines of Courage. She is the founder of Book Drop, which helps connect children at Title One Schools with authors and their books, and she has a hopeless addiction to chocolate. Jennifer lives in Northern Utah with her family.

Today’s guest on AM I WRITE? brings her unique experience writing and publishing her first novel while still a JUNIOR in high school. Caroline Wei takes a seat at the podcast table to speak with and inspire young writers to pursue their ideas. Tune in to she and host Sheridan Sharp’s conversation about the challenges and benefits of self-publishing and why the hardest–and most important–part of starting the process is just writing it down.

Resources

Caroline’s Blog

Buy Caroline’s Book: The Amnesia Experiment

About Caroline Wei

Caroline is a self-published author from The Woodlands, Texas, and has been telling stories all her life. Her first novel, The Amnesia Experiment, is a sci-fi retelling of post-World War Cinderella. It was released the summer before her junior year of high school. Now graduated, Caroline continues her exploration of science fiction and is delving deeper into the art of weaving words.

Even in those dark nights of the soul where you feel your manuscript’s not working, tell yourself “I’ve had this feeling before, and I will power through.”

Get inspired by a guest who’s done it a million times and still wonders where to go to just keep writing. As Robert Masello elaborates: “Too many writers I know say, ‘I’m holding my work because I want it to get out in perfect shape and in the right venue.’ It’s an excuse for keeping things in a drawer. Don’t. You never know where or when it will lead to bigger and better things.” The publishing industry has changed drastically during Robert’s writing career. Learn not to let the obstacles stop you on this episode of AM I WRITE? Podcast.

About Robert Masello

Robert has been a writer his entire life: a journalist in New York for many of the major magazines and newspapers and an author of over twenty books, both novels and nonfiction, several of which have appeared on national bestseller lists. He has also written for various television shows on all the major networks. Robert is a member of the Writers Guild of America, and lives in Santa Monica, CA.

Resources

Website

Books by Robert

This is THE episode for writers who love reading various genres but aren’t sure they can make that leap into writing  a new one. Guest Joan Donaldson shares her method with host Sheridan Sharp for jumping from genre to genre on this episode of AM I WRITE? And it all has to do with exercising those fingers daily, identifying conflict, and having a little belief in yourself.

About Joan Donaldson

Joan's novel On Viney's Mountain won the 2010 Friends of American Writers Award for Outstanding YA novel and represented the State of TN at the 2010 National Book Festival. Her novel Hearts of Mercy won first place in the 2018 Pencraft Awards for romantic suspense. Over the years, The Christian Science Monitor has published many of her personal essays. In 2008, she earned a MFA in creative writing from Spalding University. Along with her husband, John, she writes from her organic blueberry farm.

Resources

Website

Twitter

Author Facebook

SCBWI

Help support Joan in the community by leaving her books a review!

The Way of the Writer by Charles Johnson

Books by Jerry Spinelli

Joan’s Farm

Join host Sheridan Sharp and guest Rob Kosberg, published author and founder of Bestseller Publishing, to talk about the kind of people they publish: REGULAR BUISNESSPEOPLE, many without a background in writing but with a poignant story to share and a widespread problem to solve.

About Rob Kosberg

Rob Kosberg is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, and the founder of Best Seller Publishing. Rob’s Publish. Promote. Profit.™ book and system have been used by tens of thousands of authors in dozens of countries. Simply put, Rob helps entrepreneurs become the go-to authority in their market by writing, launching and profiting with a best selling book.

He has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Forbes and Entrepreneur magazine as well as hundreds of other shows, podcasts, magazines and articles.

Resources

Get a FREE copy of his book at publishpromoteprofit.com

Rob’s company: bestsellerpublishing.org (access their free material and content)

Long-time writer, author, editor, and delightful human Janet W. Butler has done about everything in the writing industry. Jump into her conversation alongside host Sheridan Sharp and discuss everything from verb strategy to why you may need to reframe your paradigm around gatekeepers and editors alike–plus, have a great time doing it!

About Janet W. Butler

Janet  is a writer, editor, and editorial consultant by day and a “small soprano” by night. An RWA Golden Heart Winner for RAINMAN'S BRIDE, a traditional romance that took the crown in 1998, she is also the author of “the best two little books almost no one ever heard of”—two romances, both published with small presses, and both now back in her possession to be resold. In response to requests from “mentees,” she’s also produced an e-book version of the popular workshop series 12 Weeks to Your First (or Next) Novel, available through Kindle Direct.

A Chicago area native, she’s now back home after a stint in northeast Indiana, living not far from one of the Chain o’ Lakes with Maisie, Fur Diva and Office Cat Extraordinaire. When she’s not writing, she’s baking the annual Christmas Cookie Extravaganza, sampling new wines, or spending quality time at her piano trying to unravel the mysteries of Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Elgar, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, and Schubert. She’s also a member of various choral organizations in the Chicago area, in which occasionally she hits notes only dogs can hear.

 Resources

www.janetwbutler.com (check out her contact page to connect!)

Janet’s Blog 

Facebook

Small Soprano Facebook Page

Instagram: @authorjwb

Twitter: @AuthorJannyB

Janet’s book, 12 Weeks to Your First (or Next) Novel

Inaugural guest and multi-published author of children’s horror Josh Allen deep dives into why the children’s genre has become the richest facet of his life, reconnecting readers with the basic but complicated facets of courage, bravery, and creativity. Learn why it’s not too late–if you’re 4 or 40–to build a creative life. Be gentle with yourself, others, and write because you love it.

About Josh Allen

Josh Allen is the author or two books: OUT TO GET YOU: 13 TALES OF WEIRDNESS AND WOE and ONLY IF YOU DARE: 13 STORIES OF DARKNESS AND DOOM. His writing has received praise from The Wall Street Journal, Booklist, School Library Journal, The Horn Book, Publishers Weekly, and more. He holds a Masters’ of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Old Dominion University, and he teaches creative writing at BYU-Idaho.

Resources

Twitter: @justjoshallen

SCBWI (The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for members in the Idaho/Utah area